Springfield Standard

Citizens Memorial Hospital has joined The Alliance for Healthcare Education as a workforce affiliate, according to an announcement made during a groundbreaking ceremony at Cox North Hospital on August 25. The event also marked the start of a $15 million expansion project at the hospital.

The Alliance for Healthcare Education, established in 2023, brings together healthcare providers, higher education institutions, and K–12 schools to create affordable and direct pathways into healthcare careers. The model aims to address workforce needs by uniting different sectors and focusing on both rural and behavioral health.

During the ceremony, Burrell Behavioral Health and Citizens Memorial Hospital were officially welcomed as new workforce affiliates. “This expansion is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about creating opportunity at scale,” said Shallina Goodnight, Executive Director of The Alliance for Healthcare Education. “We’re building a system where a high school junior, an adult looking for a fresh start, or a current healthcare worker ready to upskill can all find an affordable, clear path to a meaningful career. By joining forces with Burrell and CMH, we’re ensuring that behavioral health and rural healthcare are front and center in shaping the future workforce.”

Michael Calhoun, CEO/Executive Director of Citizens Memorial Hospital and CMH Foundation, commented on the impact for rural communities: "Rural health care depends on homegrown talent. By partnering with The Alliance, we’re making sure students from rural communities not only have access to world-class training but also a clear path to remain home and serve. This expansion is a lifeline for rural Missouri and the patients who count on us."

The Alliance was initially formed through collaboration among CoxHealth, Springfield Public Schools, Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College, and later Evangel University. With its recent additions of Citizens Memorial Hospital and Burrell Behavioral Health as affiliates, the organization continues its work aligning educational resources with healthcare needs across Missouri.

More information about The Alliance can be found at their website.