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Mississippi Invests an Additional $15 Million to Improve Outcomes in Allied Health and Nursing Programs
11/08/2023
JACKSON, MS — As part of its dedication to bolster economic prospects for future healthcare professionals and strengthen the health of the state as a whole, Mississippi has awarded more than $15 million to enhance allied health nursing programs across the state.
Grants have been awarded to 17 community colleges, institutions of higher learning, health networks, and emergency services companies to sustain and increase the capacity of nursing, allied health, and paramedic training programs.
The Mississippi Nursing Allied Health Grant Program was funded in the 2023 legislative session as part of a larger $28 million investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through Senate Bill 3113 to alleviate the strain on healthcare services due to a continued lack of workforce.
“This funding will create new capacity in critical allied health programs to train Mississippi’s healthcare workforce,” said Courtney Taylor, Deputy Director of Strategy & Programs at AccelerateMS. “These grants will pave the way for new entrants into the healthcare field that will provide a critical workforce for our future.”
Dr. Brandy Larmon, Dean for the College of Nursing & Health Sciences at the Mississippi University for Women, says they’ll use the grant to hire an undergraduate nursing success and wellness coordinator to assist with retention and health and wellness strategies for the school’s undergraduate nursing programs.
“Retention success has always been a passion of mine, and I am thrilled to see how we can impact undergraduate nursing as well as build resiliency in our nursing workforce,” she said.
The complete list of grantees is listed below.
| Nursing/Allied Health Entities | Program | Amount Awarded |
| Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | Diagnostic Medical Sonography | $1,002,000.00 |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | Nursing | $850,000.00 |
| Coahoma Community College | Nursing | $672,158.56 |
| East Central Community College | Associate Degree Nursing | $1,313,876.00 |
| East Mississippi Community College | Nursing and Health Science | $1,997,750.00 |
| Itawamba Community College | Nursing Apprenticeship | $1,300,000.00 |
| Jones College | Allied Health and Nursing | $1,800,000.00 |
| Meridian Community College | Allied Health and Nursing | $544,500.00 |
| Mississippi Delta Community College | Practical Nursing | $91,897.71 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Allied Health and Nursing | $1,330,000.00 |
| Mississippi State University | Allied Health and Nursing | $1,055,000.00 |
| Mississippi University for Women | Undergraduate Nursing | $303,755.00 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Allied Health and Nursing | $218,680.00 |
| Pafford Emergency Medical Services, Inc. | Paramedic/EMT | $504,780.00 |
| Pearl River Community College | Paramedic | $940,634.00 |
| Singing River Health System | Licensed Practical Nursing Apprenticeship | $1,050,440.00 |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | B.S. in Nursing | $750,000.00 |
| TOTAL | $15,725,471,27 |
AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and, statewide economic prosperity.