Dyersburg, Tennessee – Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) is excited to announce that it has received $2 million from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission under the Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion Grant. This funding represents a vital step toward strengthening Tennessee’s rural healthcare workforce by improving access to education and career opportunities in high-demand healthcare fields.
The initiative aims to tackle workforce shortages and enhance healthcare accessibility in rural areas. A total of 20 higher education institutions throughout the state will benefit from grants of up to $2 million, focused on developing or expanding healthcare career pathway programs that connect rural students with job opportunities in healthcare, behavioral health, and dental health professions.
Dyersburg State Community College was awarded the Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion grant to start an Advanced Standing RN program at the Henry County Center and to expand the Emergency Medical Services programs, including EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic. The grant will allow the purchase of equipment and supplies, hire faculty and staff to run the programs, and give students stipends based on their enrolled programs.
“I am so excited for the opportunity to expand and grow our Nursing and EMS programs at the Dyersburg State Community College Henry County Center and grateful for our partnership with TCAT Henry/Carroll, West Tennessee Healthcare, and Baptist Memorial Hospital as we expand healthcare opportunities in rural West Tennessee,” according to Dr. Amy Johnson, Vice President, Academic Affairs & Student Success.
The RHCPE Grant emphasizes several key strategies for developing a sustainable pipeline of qualified healthcare professionals. These strategies include raising awareness of healthcare careers among young people, creating strong educational pathways, and promoting ongoing professional development for those already in the field.
With the support of this grant, Dyersburg State Community College will enhance our programs that address the healthcare industry’s immediate needs and foster long-term growth and stability within the workforce. This initiative aligns with THEC’s ongoing commitment to building strong, data-informed pathways into essential healthcare roles, ultimately benefiting the communities and individuals they serve.
To learn more about the new Advanced Standing RN program at the Henry County Center, contact Shannon Mayo, Henry County Center Director, at smmayo@dscc.edu or 731-407-9617. For more information about DSCC’s healthcare programs, please visit www.dscc.edu.