OVERLAND PARK, KAN. — HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider, today announced an expanded, strategic partnership with MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU). This agreement further supports the health system’s strategic priority of growing its workforce, while also providing greater access to nursing education and career development.
“This new partnership with MidAmerica Nazarene University improves access to training future nurses and healthcare professionals at Overland Park Regional Medical Center so they can be successful and provide the best possible patient care,” said HCA Midwest Health President Keith Zimmerman. “Healthcare professionals and nurses are the heart of our mission, and we are proud to expand our long-standing relationship to include mentorship and leadership development. This is yet another example of our commitment to the care and improvement of human life by fulfilling a significant healthcare need in our region.”
“This is a step beyond our current relationship,” said MNU School of Nursing Associate Dean Sarah Miller, EdD, DNP, APRN, FNP-C. “Students will have more exposure to HCA leaders and nurses, allowing them to glean relevant knowledge from nursing leaders inside the boardroom and on the frontlines of patient care.”
Miller noted additional clinical placements may offer more students a nearly seamless transition to a career if they choose to work for an HCA facility after graduation, adding that HCA Midwest Health will offer “capstone” placements at the end of a student’s program, giving them a real feel for working on the unit.
“As a leader of more than 4,000 nurses across our health system, I am dedicated to training the next generation of healthcare professionals, as well as addressing the national nursing shortage,” said HCA Midwest Health Division Chief Nursing Executive Officer Amber Boes. “Partnerships like the one we solidified with MidAmerica Nazarene University are critical to exposing students to the healthcare profession earlier in their education journey, while also being mentored with HCA nursing leaders.
“MidAmerica Nazarene University is a well-known and respected healthcare education leader and partnerships such as this provide greater and deeper opportunities for students, while also mutually benefitting both organizations, collaboratively building the future healthcare workforce.
"This partnership is evidence of the university’s long-term commitment to preparing nurses and health professionals,” said MidAmerica Nazarene University President David Spittal, EdD. “There is great enthusiasm about strengthening an established relationship that benefits students, faculty, and our community. We are pleased to continue and expand our affiliation with HCA Midwest Health and look forward to all of the good that is yet to come."
The agreement takes effect immediately.