Healthcare Wins Again As University Of North Alabama And North Mississippi Health Services Team Up

Mar. 20, 2019

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

By Bryan RachalUniversity Communications FLORENCE, Ala.- Officials with the University of North Alabama (UNA) and North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) announced that they will team up to form a partnership to benefit NMHS employees. According to the agreement, UNA will provide scholarships to NMHS employees accepted into the following online programs: RN to BSN/RN to MSN nursing track, Bachelor of Applied Health Science, B.S./B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, M.Pr.S in Professional Studies and a BBA or MBA. A scholarship in the form of 20 percent off tuition and fees for online courses will be extended to all NMHS regular, full-time employees with an associate degree who enroll in UNA's designated online programs. "We are proud to continue to partner with institutions across our region and especially proud of our new partnership with the University of North Alabama," said Sondra Davis, NMHS chief human resources officer. "We arecommitted to maintaining a high quality workforce. Providing educational opportunities for our employees helps us realize our vision of being the provider of the best patient- and family-centered care in America." Dr. Ross Alexander, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at UNA, said the agreement shows UNA's commitment to education and healthcare in the tristate area. "The partnership between North Mississippi Health Services and the University of North Alabama will expand the opportunities for career advancement and development for over 7,000 employees by offering an array of degree options" said Alexander. "UNA is devoted to partnering with the community in order to make education more accessible and affordable. We look forward to welcoming employees of North Mississippi Health Services into our classes and academic programs." Dr. Vicki Pierce, dean of the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at UNA, said they're excited to continue the already existent relationship. "We are excited about growing the opportunities and relationship that UNA has established over many years with North Mississippi Health Services," Pierce said. "UNA's online nursing programs create opportunities that allow flexibility for nurses who are full time or part time and want to continue their education. The new online Bachelor of Science Applied Health Science degree will offer similar opportunities to NMHS employees. We are devoted to the success of our students and at UNA, you are family." Eligible employees must have completed one year of employment with NMHS to be considered for the scholarship. Successful completion of NCLEX is required for nursing students. -30- For more information: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programsthrough the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business,Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing.Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. UNA Athletics, a renownedcollegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN and Big South Conferences.The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin. https://www.una.edu/ NORTH MISSISSIPPI HEALTH SERVICES North Mississippi Medical Center, a 640-bed regional referral center in Tupelo, is the flagship hospital for NMHS. The medical center serves more than 730,000 people in 24 counties in north Mississippi, northwest Alabama and portions of Tennessee. NMHS also includes community hospitals in Amory, Eupora, Iuka, Pontotoc and West Point, Miss., as well as Hamilton, Ala.; nursing homes in Baldwyn, Eupora and Hamilton; home health and hospice services, and more than 40 medical clinics throughout the region. www.nmhs.net