Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) strives to be a leader for the region, not only in healthcare but also in healthcare education. A new medical training facility designed to strengthen employment longevity and increase graduation rates by joining students and medical staff in activities and programs as co-participants is on the horizon. In addition to offering training opportunities, the facility will serve as a career center dedicated to developing and delivering educational programs and services focused on healthcare.
On September 16, 2021, PMC was awarded a $508,075 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER grant to equip a medical training facility and career center. This award is part of a $46.4 million package supporting 57 projects across 184 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. POWER utilizes federal resources to support communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations and coal-related supply chain industries.
This funding will equip PMC’s new much-needed facility, where medical staff, students in healthcare and community members will work in a collaborative environment. The new training facility will increase continuing education opportunities and build vital community partnerships while expanding the Eastern Kentucky healthcare community.
“Because of similar initiatives aimed at offering healthcare-related training to those previously employed in the mining industry, our region has been able to retain a portion of our population that would have otherwise been forced to leave,” explained PMC President and CEO Donovan Blackburn. “This ARC POWER funding will allow Pikeville Medical Center to equip a facility that will not only help us continue to grow our staff but offer additional training opportunities to those who wish to further their career in the healthcare industry. We could not have done this without the support of ARC and Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin,” explained Blackburn.
