Saint Francis Healthcare System President and Chief Executive Officer Justin Davison and SEMO President Dr. Brad Hodson.
Southeast Missouri State University and Saint Francis Healthcare System are expanding their longstanding relationship with a new Pinnacle Corporate Partnership. The Partnership is designed to make higher education more accessible for Saint Francis employees and their families while supporting the region’s health care workforce. The partnership invests directly in the people who care for patients across the region, strengthening the local health care workforce from within.
The organizations formally established the partnership during a signing ceremony Friday, October 23, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
“The Pinnacle Corporate Partnership reflects the kind of relationship Saint Francis is building with regional partners,” said Justin Davison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saint Francis Healthcare System. “Together with Southeast Missouri State University, we can strengthen the regional workforce and also create more affordable pathways to higher and allied health education for Saint Francis colleagues.”
For Saint Francis colleagues, the partnership opens the door to advancing in their current roles or preparing for new ones. Whether a colleague is starting a degree, finishing one they began years ago, or taking the next step toward a career in nursing, medical imaging or another allied health field, reduced tuition benefits make that goal more attainable.
Investing in the education of current colleagues is a proven way to support the health care workforce. When health systems help their own people grow into high-demand roles, they build a pipeline of skilled professionals who already know the organization, understand its culture of care, and are rooted in the communities they serve.
A stronger local health care workforce ultimately means better access for patients. Investing in local talent helps ensure patients across Southeast Missouri have access to skilled, high-quality care close to home.
“Saint Francis Healthcare System has been an important partner in preparing health care professionals for our region and providing critical hands-on experience for our students,” said SEMO President Dr. Brad Hodson. “This partnership builds on that relationship by creating new opportunities for Saint Francis employees and their families to pursue a SEMO education. We are proud to work alongside an organization that shares our commitment to the people and communities of this region.”
Previous collaborations include SEMO’s Bachelor of Applied Science in allied health, a flexible pathway that helps professionals in medical imaging and related fields advance their education.
SEMO’s corporate partnership program gives organizations access to resources such as reduced tuition employee benefits, training that aligns with business needs, professional meeting space, and a talent pipeline for co-ops, internships and full-time employment.
This partnership adds to the benefits available to Saint Francis colleagues. To explore career opportunities, visit the Saint Francis Careers page.