Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Highlands College (GHC) recently entered into a partnership to increase the number of health sciences student positions at the college and grow the number of nurses entering the workforce in Northwest Georgia. On Wednesday, August 16, the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences at Georgia Highlands College, along with community members, alumni and more, celebrated these health sciences students during a white coat ceremony and reception at Heritage Hall.
Each year, nursing and dental hygiene students participate in a white coat ceremony, signifying their transition from a pre-clinical science program to a clinical science program. However, this year’s ceremony coincides with the first semester of students attending the new the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences at Georgia Highlands College.
The event was also the first of several inauguration events this fall at GHC.
“Having a partnership like this with Atrium Health Floyd opens doors into facilities and opportunities such as internships, clinical space, tuition reimbursement, scholarships and more, and will only push our exceptional program to new heights” Dean of the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences Lisa Jellum said. “With an entity as large as Atrium Health Floyd, it opens doors not only in Rome, Ga., but regionally as well.”
Thanks to the partnership, students are also headed toward employment opportunities through Atrium Health Floyd.
The multi-year agreement between Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Highlands College builds on a 50-year history of collaboration between the organizations. Atrium Health Floyd has provided clinical training programming, scholarships and career pathways for Georgia Highlands graduates for generations.
Funds from the partnership will add scholarships, tuition assistance and financial assistance for learning materials. In addition, Atrium Health Floyd will fund a faculty position, and nurses from Atrium Health Floyd will serve as adjunct professors in the college’s nursing department. Atrium Health Floyd also will help purchase simulation equipment for training.
As part of the agreement, the health sciences and nursing programs at Georgia Highlands College will be named the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences and the Atrium Health Floyd Department of Nursing. These programs will be housed at GHC where nursing students complete their program, which is currently the Lakeview Building, on GHC’s main campus on U.S. 27 South in Rome, and at the James. D. Maddox Heritage Hall, 415 E. Third Ave. in Rome’s Between the Rivers historic district.
The nursing program at GHC was established in 1971, and the program celebrated the 50th graduating class in 2022.
According to Steppingblocks, an institutional research company that collects and reports outcomes data, over 85% of GHC graduates go on to start a career in the Northwest Georgia region.
Read more about the Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Highlands College partnership here and see photos from the health sciences celebration and white coat ceremony here.
There is still time to apply and start taking classes in October. Learn more about our programs, class options and connect with an admissions counselor at go.highlands.edu or call 706-802-5000. Apply online at apply.highlands.edu.