Springfield, MO — The Alliance for Healthcare Education marked a major milestone Wednesday with its first-ever pinning ceremony, honoring students who have completed Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) through the Ozarks Tech Alliance Middle College program.
The event celebrated the accomplishments of 10 CNA students, the inaugural cohort of the Alliance – a transformative partnership formed in August 2023 by CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Ozarks Tech, and Springfield Public Schools.
These students began their journey in fall 2024, participating in what Alliance leaders have called “Year Zero,” an early launch of healthcare education programs designed for high school juniors and seniors. Through the Ozarks Tech Middle College, Alliance students earn college credit and industry certifications while completing high school, giving them a clear, supported path into the healthcare field.
“This pinning ceremony isn’t just a recognition of student achievement, it’s a preview of what’s to come,” said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon. “These students are leading the way for hundreds more who will follow, through the Alliance for Healthcare Education.”
The Alliance was created to address southwest Missouri’s healthcare workforce challenges. By combining the strengths of leading local institutions, the Alliance is simplifying and expanding access to top-tier training programs.
“The partnership between the four entities is more than strategic – it is deeply community-driven,” said Ozarks Tech Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Aaron Light. “Parents took a leap of faith trusting us with their students in this first-ever cohort, and that trust fuels our work. With this collaboration, the Alliance is firmly positioned to become the number one producer of healthcare professionals in Missouri.”
The Alliance for Healthcare Education will be fully implemented in fall 2025, welcoming its first-year cohorts in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs through Missouri State University, as well as Associate of Applied Science programs in Radiography and Sonography through Ozarks Tech. As part of the expansion, Ozarks Tech will increase its Associate of Science in Nursing program capacity to 150 seats each year.
For more information about the Alliance for Healthcare Education, visit: https://www.alliancehce.org.
