Dalton State College, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Murray County Schools, AdventHealth, and Hamilton Medical Center have entered into a new regional partnership designed to strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline in northwest Georgia. Through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the five organizations will work together to expand educational and career pathways for students—particularly those from Murray County—who are pursuing careers in nursing and other high-demand healthcare professions.
The collaboration establishes a unified approach to preparing, training, and connecting qualified graduates with employment opportunities across the region’s healthcare systems. Modeled on similar agreements focused on teacher education between Dalton State and regional school systems, this MOU was initiated by Barry Gentry, president of the Murray County Chamber of Commerce, following the Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit held at Dalton State this past year.
“The nursing shortage is both a national and local challenge, and we have an opportunity in our own backyard to make a difference. By creating an intentional, aligned pipeline of talent, the partnership aims to address current and future shortages while providing students with high-quality education and stable, well-paying career opportunities,” Gentry said. “The Murray Chamber is proud to champion this partnership between our employers, our local school system, and our higher education institutions.”
Under the agreement, Dalton State College, Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC), and Murray County Schools will align programs to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary for in-demand healthcare roles. AdventHealth and Hamilton Medical Center have committed to guaranteeing job interviews for qualified graduates completing healthcare pathways at Murray County Schools, GNTC, and Dalton State.
“Our students deserve every opportunity to pursue meaningful, well-paying careers close to home,” said Tim Wright, superintendent of Murray County Schools. “This partnership opens doors and gives our students a clear pathway into one of the region’s most essential workforce sectors. It’s a win for students, families, and the entire community.”
As Georgia experiences population growth, developing and retaining a skilled healthcare workforce has become increasingly critical. Dalton State is in the process of adding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree that will complement its current ASN to BSN degree and support USG-funded efforts to add 77 additional slots to its annual cohort of nursing students.
“Dalton State is proud to help lead an aligned educational pipeline that strengthens both our workforce and our region’s wellbeing,” John Fuchko, president of Dalton State College, said. “This public-private partnership will help fill critical nursing shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas.”
In July 2025, following the passage of HB 192, Georgia’s Top State for Talent Act, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and University System of Georgia (USG) signed an articulation agreement to help nursing students seamlessly advance their education and careers. The agreement allows graduates of TCSG’s associate degree in nursing programs to transfer directly into participating USG institutions to complete a BSN, establishing a true 2+2 transfer model between the two systems.
“We are committed to providing practical, highquality healthcare training that meets the needs of local employers,” GNTC President Heidi Popham said. “This partnership builds a seamless bridge from the classroom to the clinical setting, helping students advance more efficiently while helping our communities meet growing workforce demands.”
The partnership will leverage a range of strategies to support student success and workforce readiness, including career exploration activities, curriculum alignment, dual enrollment opportunities, experiential learning opportunities and clinical education placements, and industry-recognized certification programs.
“We are honored to invest in the next generation of caregivers,” Michael Ciurea, vice president and administrator of AdventHealth Murray, said. “Students across Murray County and Northwest Georgia will now have a clearer, more supported path into our hospitals—one that leads to stable careers and directly strengthens patient care in our communities.”
Nurses comprise the largest component of the healthcare workforce, and more than one-quarter of registered nurses report that they plan to leave nursing or retire over the next five years, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The Georgia Nurses Association has reported an expected 21% shortage of registered nurses in the state by 2035.
“Across the nation and in our own community, the nursing shortage remains one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare,” said Judean Guinn, Hamilton Medical Center vice president and chief nursing officer. “By partnering with local colleges, we are creating a clear pathway for nursing graduates or any other healthcare professionals to enter the workforce and make an immediate impact on patient care. This initiative guarantees the graduate the opportunity for a job interview, opening doors to rewarding careers and helping us build the next generation of skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals who will strengthen our healthcare system.”
While some of the work outlined in the MOU is already in progress, this partnership expands those efforts and brings together all of the partners to create more intentional efforts to promote the need and opportunities surrounding healthcare.
