(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - July 20, 2018) - - - Columbia State Community College and Maury Regional Medical Center were recently named by the American Association of Community Colleges as finalists for the 2018 Awards of Excellence in the college/corporate partnership category.

"The partnership between Columbia State and Maury Regional Medical Center is one of synergy that advances the economic vitality of our shared service area and puts to work a prepared and competitive healthcare workforce," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. "It is an honor to be named a finalist for this prestigious award - it speaks to the strength of our relationship with Maury Regional."

The award honors local, regional and national collaboration between a college and corporate partner that has achieved demonstrable, multi-year success in advancing the mission of the institution, the economic prosperity of a community, region or the nation and the learning excellence of students.

Healthcare education started at Columbia State in 1967 with nursing, followed quickly by radiologic technology, respiratory care, medical laboratory technology and emergency medical services. Each semester, more than 350 students participate in a clinical rotations at a Maury Regional facility. The partnership has been in existence for more than 50 years - It is estimated that more than 10,000 students have benefited from opportunities for hands-on application of knowledge and the development of competency and proficiency gained at Maury Regional facilities.

"The Columbia State - Maury Regional Health partnership ensures health sciences students learn to provide the levels of clinical excellence and compassionate care patients in our shared service area expect and deserve," said Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Science Division and professor of radiologic technology.

"A significant number of our employees, past and current, began their careers as a student at Columbia State," said H. Alan Watson, Maury Regional CEO. "Our ability to fill the number of growing positions available at Maury Regional would not have been possible without the training programs provided by Columbia State."

In a nomination letter of support, Jan McKeel, South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance president, commended the institutions on their work to bridge the skills gap in the healthcare industry in southern Middle Tennessee.

"Maury Regional Medical Center and Columbia State Community College have consistently and eagerly joined us at the table to develop unique and successful training programs to move students from one field of employment to new, productive and rewarding careers in healthcare," McKeel said. "I proudly endorse their nomination for this award and am thankful for their contributions to workforce development throughout our southern Middle Tennessee region."

Columbia State previously announced their finalist standing in the 2018 Awards of Excellence in the advancing diversity and student success categories.

The AACC created the Awards of Excellence program to recognize innovation and leadership among community colleges across the country that make a difference in the lives of students and members of their communities. Colleges are nominated in six categories, including advancing diversity, college safety and planning, student success, faculty innovation, CEO/board relationship and college/corporate partnership.

To learn more about the AACC, please visit www.aacc.nche.edu.

Photo Caption: H. Alan Watson, Maury Regional CEO; Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation; and Houston Parks, Maury Regional Board of Trustees chair.