CoxHealth received the Missouri Community College Association’s Distinguished Business and Industry Award at the association’s 52nd annual convention held this week in Branson, Mo.

The locally-owned nonprofit health system partnered with Ozarks Technical Community College to establish an Associate of Science in Nursing program at the OTC Table Rock Campus. The program expansion will create more economic opportunities for the region and combat the shortage of nurses in Stone and Taney counties.

Beyond the classroom, CoxHealth maintains a robust scholarship program for OTC students. The health system also offers its sites as training grounds to provide hands-on instruction and testing services for OTC Allied Health students.

MCCA’s Distinguished Business/Industry Award is presented annually to individuals and/or businesses that have engaged in significant partnerships with their local community college to stimulate economic activity and support community college students and programs. The award is one of the most prestigious honors the association presents.

The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas.  MCCA brings the state’s 12 colleges together for advocacy, professional development, information, and collaboration.