$1.3M state grant helps Northwest Shoals boost healthcare education

MUSCLE SHOALS — Northwest Shoals Community College has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to help address healthcare needs in Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin, and Lawrence counties.

In partnership with North Alabama Medical Center, NWSCC will implement a project to bolster healthcare education opportunities in the region, including an LPN program and a mobile simulation unit. NAMC has contributed more than 5,100 square feet of space at its Cloyd Campus to facilitate the expansion of healthcare education initiatives.

“This grant represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of our communities,” said NWSCC President Dr. Jeff Goodwin. “We are grateful for the support of our state legislators and the Alabama Community College System in recognizing the importance of expanding healthcare education in rural areas.”

The grant originated from state appropriations and was awarded through the Alabama Community College System.

This funding will enable NWSCC to undertake several key initiatives:

1. Dual Enrollment Pathway for Licensed Practical Nursing Certification: NWSCC will establish a pathway for Dual Enrollment students to begin progress toward LPN certification, providing an early start to a career in nursing.
2. Stand-alone LPN Program: NWSCC will launch a stand-alone LPN Program on NAMC’s Cloyd Campus, increasing access to nursing education for students in the region.
3. Non-Credit Health Studies Training Center: The college will establish a robust non-credit health studies training center, offering specialized training programs to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals.
4. State-of-the-Art Mobile Simulation Unit: NWSCC will purchase and equip a state-of-the-art, high-fidelity mobile simulation unit to travel to rural high school sites and long-term care facilities. This innovative unit will be the first of its kind for any community college in the Southeastern United States, featuring two hospital-like rooms with geriatric, standard adult, and pediatric manikins. 

“NWSCC looks forward to collaborating with community partners, healthcare providers, and educational institutions to ensure the success of this impactful funding,” said John McIntosh, dean of Workforce Development, Institutional Effectiveness, and Advancement.