NEWS RELEASE – September 05, 2023
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
September 05, 2023 – Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, SKCTC, have partnered to create the ARH Healthcare Scholarship for the SKCTC Registered Nursing Program. ARH will award a total of 25 scholarships beginning in fall 2023.
This partnership aims to help alleviate student debt and address the nursing crisis in the region. Both new and current students enrolled in the two-year RN program at SKCTC will be eligible to apply for these awards of up to $15,000.
The scholarship offers SKCTC nursing students the opportunity to graduate debt free when they commit to work at ARH after becoming a licensed RN. Along with this new scholarship, ARH also offers sign-on bonuses and student loan repayment plans.
“We are thrilled and deeply honored to announce the launch of our scholarship program aimed at supporting nursing students in our region. As an organization committed to fostering education and empowerment, we recognize the vital role nurses play in our healthcare system. By providing these scholarships, we aim to eliminate barriers that students often face, ensuring their success and a brighter future for healthcare in our region. This initiative not only supports aspiring nurses, but it also addresses the pressing national nursing shortage. By nurturing a continuous stream of skilled nurses into our community, we are steadfast in our commitment to uphold the highest standards of care for our region,” said Dylon Baker, ARH System Director of Talent Acquisition.
PHOTO CAPTION: (A large crowd gathered Wednesday in the Educational Alliance Center on the Southeast Middlesboro Campus for Appalachian Regional Healthcare officials to announce the expansion of healthcare scholarships for SKCTC nursing students.)
According to Dr. Vic Adams, SKCTC President, “We are grateful for our partnership with ARH which will allow more nursing students to graduate debt free and enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. Not only do these scholarships increase accessibility and student success, but they will in turn help build the local economy. We recognize the need for more nurses in our service region, and it is an important part of our mission to help.”
Nursing students at SKCTC can apply for this opportunity at arhcareers.org or call/text Sandy Campbell at 606-438-8438 with questions, including more information on eligibility.
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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies. ARH employs more than 6,500 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $330 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 600 active and courtesy medical staff members. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.
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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
The Commonwealth’s largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky’s largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.