By Gerard Flanagan, lead writer and communications specialist, Office of Marketing and Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – In January of 2022, the Monroe County Medical Center in Tompkinsville began exploring healthcare needs in the immediate and surrounding areas, bringing together community leaders, hospital representatives and Campbellsville University representatives.
Throughout those discussions, one need emerged time and time again: paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
Now, CU and the Monroe County Medical Center have come together to fill the need for emergency service professionals through a partnership to offer EMT and paramedic courses at the Campbellsville University-Monroe County Education Center.
The partnership was unveiled on Friday, Aug. 8 during a special announcement at the education center. The partnership began with both EMT and Paramedic programs written in the grant funding language. EMT has been offered for two years at Monroe County as CU completed the accreditation process for the Paramedic program.
Andrea McLerran, CEO of the Monroe County Medical Center, shared, “We are so excited that we are beginning and announcing today the addition of Paramedic training courses here at the Campbellsville University Monroe County Education Center.”
The partnership between CU and the Monroe County Medical Center was made possible through a federal grant sponsored by U.S. Representative James Comer, a Monroe County native. The grant specified Monroe County as the start-up location for the emergency medical services educational courses.
The paramedic is 42 credit hours in length (or 14 classes) and takes approximately a year and a half to complete. The program covers topics such as cardiovascular incidents, proper approaches to handling emergency situations and prehospital care of patients.
“Campbellsville University is a place that is invested in communities like Tompkinsville,” CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins shared. “We are a rural university. We are committed to preparing rural citizens to go and serve rural communities, and here we’re having this opportunity to do it again.”
Hopkins noted the announcement of the paramedic program is yet another way CU is knocking down walls to education in rural communities – through scholarships, work-ready programs and federal aid.
“One of those walls that students will face is the financial barrier of being in a program like this,” Hopkins said. “Often, a student is trying to figure out how to make a life change so that they can step into this new career and fill this need that our community has.
“These students come with little or no cost that allows them to prepare for this kind of career and to be life-changing partners with their community, so what an incredible place for us to be involved and to partner with your community. We’re grateful for that opportunity.”
Dr. Michelle Eastham, CU’s director of Allied Health, shared, “With a background in emergency medical services, I understand the positive impact that these programs will have on this community, and then as we grow and we spread that into other communities. Thank you for your work and for your confidence in Campbellsville University as we launch this.”
State Representative Amy Neighbors, representing the 21st District that includes Monroe County, heralded the Paramedic program at the Monroe County Education Center as a tremendous step forward for rural healthcare as a whole, not just emergency medical services in the area.
“By offering paramedic training right here at our local hospital, we’re creating invaluable opportunities for students to train close to home and serve their communities with excellence,” Neighbors said.
Neighbors added the partnership “strengthens our workforce pipeline, ensures better access to life-saving care, and highlights the innovation and dedication that define rural Kentucky.”
“I commend Monroe County Medical Center for its vision and Campbellsville University for its dedication to developing the next generation of health care professionals,” Neighbors shared.
U.S. Representative James Comer, representing Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District in Congress who is from Monroe County, shared, “Campbellsville is doing something that I haven’t seen any other university in Kentucky do. They’re actually trying to focus on workforce development.”
Comer also complimented CU’s efforts to develop programs that train students for workforce opportunities, such as in healthcare.
He said, “Campbellsville tries harder than any university in my district to develop a relationship with the big employers and the industries in their district to actually add value to their students’ lives by training them and get them ready once they go out the door to make money and be valuable, provide valuable services to society, and I appreciate Campbellsville University for doing that.”
Comer closed by saying, “I look forward to working with the Monroe County Medical Center in the future. We’re going to keep sending good students to Campbellsville, and you’re going to keep cranking out the best students and create the best future health care workers, so thank you all very much.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
Photo: Andrea McLerran, CEO of the Monroe County Medical Center, expressed her excitement regarding the partnership between Campbellsville University and the Monroe County Medical Center.
Photo: Campbellsville University President Dr. Joseph Hopkins shared that CU is committed to preparing rural citizens to serve their communities, especially in the area of emergency services.
Photo: State Representative Amy Neighbors, who represents the 21st District that includes Monroe County, said the partnership between Campbellsville University and the Monroe County Medical Center strengthens the workforce pipeline in Monroe County, ensures better access to life-saving care and highlights the “innovation and dedication” that define rural Kentucky.
Photo: U.S. Representative James Comer, who represents Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District in Congress and is from Monroe County, noted Campbellsville University is unique in its focus on workforce development.
Photo: Participating in the partnership announcement between Campbellsville University and the Monroe County Medical Center include, from left, CU’s Director of Allied Health Dr. Michelle Eastham; State Rep. Amy Neighbors; CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins; U.S. Rep. James Comer; and Monroe County Medical Center CEO Andrea McLerran.
(Gerard Flanagan, Lead Writer and Communications Specialist – Office of Marketing and Communications)