Pima Community College and Arizona Complete Health Announce $500K Partnership for Scholarship Fund and Workforce Training at the Center of Excellence
TUCSON, AZ – February 14, 2024 – Pima Community College (PCC) and Arizona Complete Health (AZCH) today announced a transformative $500,000 partnership to support PCC’s Center of Excellence in Health Professions. The investment by (AZCH) will help support two significant initiatives: a $400,000 endowed scholarship fund and a $100,000 program development grant – that will benefit PCC’s Center of Excellence in Health Professions.
The PCC Center for Excellence in Health Professions provides high-tech training and reskilling for both new students and incumbent workers to help prepare future healthcare professionals for successful careers and creates a pipeline of well-trained healthcare professionals in southern Arizona. The partnership will be managed by Pima Foundation, established more than 40 years ago to champion PCC by expanding access to education and cultivating relationships for a lasting positive impact in the community.
“We are enormously grateful to Arizona Complete Health for their investment. Funding the development of critical programs serving the labor needs in healthcare will be a game-changer for the industry,” said Marcy Euler, President & CEO, Pima Foundation. “The scholarship portion of the gift is tremendous. Student learners will benefit for years to come from the generosity and vision of this gift. Pima Community College’s Center of Excellence in Health Professions is preparing highly skilled graduates who are providing excellent care for our community.”
This important funding from Arizona Complete Health will play a crucial role in the Center of Excellence in Health Professions’ mission to prepare future healthcare workers from diverse backgrounds while addressing the needs of the healthcare workforce and providing improved access to underserved populations in the Pima County community.
“Arizona Complete Health is proud to support the important work of the Center of Excellence in Health Professions at Pima Community College and contribute to the growth of the inclusive healthcare education and training opportunities it provides,” said Martha Smith, Plan President and CEO, Arizona Compete Health. “As we think about the future of healthcare here in the Tucson and Pima County community, it is crucial to have a vibrant and skilled workforce that is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the industry, such as long-term care and behavioral healthcare coordination.”
$400K Endowment for Arizona Complete Health Community Transformation Scholarship Fund
The Arizona Complete Health Community Transformation Scholarship Fund is a $400,000 endowment from Arizona Complete Health, which will provide need-based scholarships for students studying for any degree or certificate program within the PCC Center of Excellence in Health Professions.
This long-term commitment will have a lasting impact on the community by creating opportunities to upskill and reskill both current and future healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds.
A portion of the initial contribution will be allocated for immediate availability. In-state students who are enrolled in any health profession program at PCC, take a minimum of six credits, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and can demonstrate financial need are eligible for the award. Scholarship awards are $1,000 and may be renewed for up to three semesters, provided the student maintains academic eligibility. Applicants will be solicited via PCC’s ScholarshipUniverse platform.
$100K Program Development Grant
A $100,000 grant from Arizona Complete Health will support the development of innovative programming at the PCC Center of Excellence in Health Professions, with a specific focus on long-term care workforce training and behavioral healthcare coordination, two priorities that are particularly relevant to the future of Tucson and Pima County’s healthcare landscape. These funds will be instrumental in creating cutting-edge programming focusing on care coordination within a behavioral health setting and long-term care workforce training. Pima Community College will actively integrate these new programs into its existing curriculum, offering coursework, degrees, and
The investment will help meet the growing demand for well-trained healthcare professionals by creating opportunities for future healthcare professionals from different backgrounds, while also tackling workforce shortages in long-term care.
This collaborative partnership exemplifies the shared dedication of PCC and Arizona Complete Health to healthcare education, addressing workforce needs, and fostering a thriving community in Pima County.
About Arizona Complete Health
Arizona Complete Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, provides and administers health benefits through individual, Medicaid, Medicare and dual eligible programs. Arizona Complete Health offers two Medicaid programs – Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan serving Southern and Central Arizona and Care1st Health Plan serving Northern Arizona – as well as Medicare Advantage coverage through its Wellcare program and Marketplace coverage through Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health. For more information on Arizona Complete Health, please visit the company’s website at www.azcompletehealth.com.
About Pima Community College
PCC is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education and workforce development opportunities to our community. With a legacy of excellence spanning 54 years, we are committed to transforming lives through education, by empowering every learner, every day, for every goal. To learn more, visit www.pima.edu or call (520) 206-4500.
About Pima Foundation
Pima Foundation, based in Tucson, Arizona, is the philanthropic partner to Pima Community College supporting the students, faculty and programs that are important to our region. For more information, please visit https://pimafoundation.org.
Media Contacts:
Arizona Complete Health, mediainquiries@azcompletehealth.com
Pima Community College, >publicinfo@pima.edu