Connors State College and the Health & Wellness Center were recently recognized as an innovative collaboration that furthers the education of Oklahomas workforce.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Educations Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents Economic Development Grants.
In spring 2014, Connors State College and the Health & Wellness Center began a partnership to bring much needed health care services to the Warner community. The center offers medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and optometry services, with fees based on household size and income.
Connors State College provided the center free use of facilities on the Warner campus to hold clinical hours once a week for students, staff and the community. This allowed the center to begin serving patients in Muskogee County without large capital expenditures. As demand for services increased, the center opened its seventh eastern Oklahoma clinical facility. Through this partnership, the center has increased the economic potential in the Warner community by providing accessible and affordable health care, creating several well-paying jobs, and investing in the local and regional economy.
Our colleges and universities partner with business and industry to link academic programs, including business, information technology, health care, aerospace, energy and bioscience, directly to employment needs in the state’s wealth-generating ecosystems, said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. These partnerships create opportunities for students to expand their academic credentials with work experience, better preparing them for the workforce.
Photo: Connors State College and the Health & Wellness Center were recently recognized for an innovative collaboration, receiving the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Business Partnership Excellence Award. Pictured are (L to R): Connors State College Interim President, Dr. Ron Ramming; Health & Wellness Center COO, Brooke Lattimore; Health & Wellness Center CFO, Stephanie Long; Health & Wellness Center CEO, Teresa Huggins; Health & Wellness Center Board President, Linus Williams; and Connors State College Associate VP for External Affairs, Dr. Ryan Blanton.