A new chapter in health care education is underway in Southwest Missouri.

The project will add 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art educational space, expanding affordable health care career pathways for learners of all ages—from high school juniors to adults pursuing new opportunities.

Today’s ceremony also celebrated new workforce affiliates, with Burrell Behavioral Health and Citizens Memorial Hospital officially joining The Alliance.

“This expansion is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating opportunity at scale,” says Shallina Goodnight, executive director of The Alliance for Health care Education. “By joining forces with Burrell and CMH, we’re ensuring that behavioral health and rural health care are front and center in shaping the future workforce.”

Founded through an unprecedented partnership among CoxHealth, Springfield Public Schools, Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College — later joined by Evangel University as an affiliate. The Alliance continues to align health care providers with educators to remove barriers, strengthen partnerships and build Missouri’s health care workforce of the future.

This expansion reflects a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of health care professionals and ensuring quality care for communities across Missouri.