SIU Carbondale, Deaconess Illinois Medical Center announce new healthcare partnership
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Deaconess Illinois Medical Center have finalized a partnership aimed at expanding educational opportunities for students pursuing healthcare careers and strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.
Leaders from both institutions met Tuesday at Deaconess Illinois in Marion to sign agreements establishing the Deaconess Illinois Scholars Program and creating new wellness-focused spaces for students in SIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
The scholarship program will provide tuition assistance to students studying nursing, radiologic sciences, social work and other healthcare-related fields. Selected students will also receive mentorship from Deaconess clinicians, along with clinical placement opportunities and professional development support.
Program graduates will receive priority consideration for employment within the Deaconess Illinois system. University and hospital officials said the collaboration is intended to better prepare students for careers while addressing regional healthcare workforce needs.
The agreement also includes the development of a Serenity Room in Mae Smith Hall and a Wellness Suite in the Community Care and Education Center.
Officials said the new spaces will offer stress-management resources for students and serve as locations for community outreach programs, including nutrition education, chronic disease prevention and health screenings.
