Austin Peay State University partners with Maury Regional Health

Austin Peay State University and Maury Regional Health have formed a five-year partnership that will establish the Maury Regional Health MLS Endowed Fund of Excellence and the Maury Regional Health Nursing Endowed Fund of Excellence. Additionally, the partnership will provide opportunities for Austin Peay State University students to participate in clinical experience opportunities at Maury Regional Health and will help to create a pipeline for qualified healthcare graduates to continue to work in the region.

According to an article on Austin Peay State University’s website, Kris Phillips, who serves as APSU’s vice president for Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy, was quoted as saying of the new partnership, "Maury Regional Health's investment in Austin Peay creates a transformative opportunity for our students. This partnership will enhance our learning environments with better equipment and enhanced training opportunities, while removing financial barriers through scholarship support. We're grateful for Maury Regional's commitment to our students' future and to healthcare education excellence at Austin Peay."

Austin Peay State University recently opened its new Health Professions Building, and as a result of the partnership with Maury Regional Health, two spaces within that new building will bear the health system’s name: the Maury Regional Health Nursing Simulation Hub and the Maury Regional Health Student Collaboration Lobby.

The endowed funds being created by this partnership will support the School of Nursing and the Medical Laboratory Sciences program. The Maury Regional Health Nursing Endowed Fund of Excellence will provide student scholarships and support, support faculty members’ professional development, enhance the program’s simulation equipment, and create more opportunities for research and hands-on learning. The Maury Regional Health MLS Endowed Fund of Excellence will similarly help to upgrade equipment, provide student scholarships, support research, and support faculty professional development.

Mike Licari, the university’s president, said, "The healthcare landscape in our region demands innovative partnerships like this one between Austin Peay and Maury Regional Health. Beyond financial support, this collaboration ensures our MLS and nursing students are academically prepared and workforce-ready when they graduate. Together, we're addressing critical healthcare staffing shortages while elevating the quality of patient care throughout Middle Tennessee."

Jeff Pierce, who serves as Maury Regional Health's human resources director, said, "At Maury Regional Health, we recognize that investing in healthcare education today ensures excellent patient care tomorrow. We're proud to partner with Austin Peay State University to support the development of skilled medical laboratory scientists and nurses who will serve our communities for years to come. This endowment reflects our commitment to advancing healthcare education and strengthening the workforce pipeline in our region."

For more information about Austin Peay State University, visit the school’s website.