In a strategic move to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals, AdventHealth and Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) have officially signed a partnership agreement aimed at boosting enrollment in GNTC’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program.
The collaboration, which went into effect on March 1, 2025, was celebrated at a signing ceremony Monday at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome. The initiative is expected to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce by increasing nursing education opportunities and expanding clinical training resources for students.
AdventHealth has committed $829,750 over the next five years to support the initiative. The funding—administered by the GNTC Foundation—will allow GNTC to hire additional nursing faculty and invest in new educational technology. The goal is to raise ASN program enrollment to 85 students by Academic Year 2026.
“GNTC’s mission has always centered on meeting the workforce needs of our community,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC. “This partnership with AdventHealth will not only expand access to nursing education, but will also help ensure our healthcare providers have the trained professionals they need to deliver high-quality care.”
The agreement deepens the connection between academic training and clinical practice by providing more clinical placement opportunities, supporting workforce development, and promoting joint initiatives in evidence-based care and nursing education.
“Nurses are the heartbeat of health care,” said Isaac Sendros, president and CEO of AdventHealth Georgia and AdventHealth Redmond. “As we look toward the future, it is important that we do everything we can to fortify a pipeline of nurses who are ready to provide exceptional care at the bedside.”
Joining Popham and Sendros at the signing ceremony were Amy Jordon, chief nursing executive for the AdventHealth Southeast Region and chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Redmond, and Becky Redd, chair of GNTC’s Board of Trustees.
GNTC’s ASN program is designed to be completed in four semesters and includes classroom instruction, lab training, and hands-on clinical experience. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and, upon passing, can pursue careers as Registered Nurses in a variety of healthcare settings.
This year marks the third consecutive year that GNTC nursing graduates have achieved a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, underscoring the program’s quality and effectiveness.
An orientation for new ASN students will be held Friday, August 15, at GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring. AdventHealth representatives and GNTC faculty will be on hand to provide information and support.
For more information about GNTC’s nursing programs, visit www.gntc.edu. To learn more about AdventHealth’s healthcare services and community initiatives, visit AdventHealth.com/News.
