MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Opinion

Discussion

August 11, 2012

Scholarship can make difference

— Any plan that keeps health care professionals in Muskogee is a good one.

The announcement this week of a program designed to do just that will be an upgrade to Muskogee citizens’ quality of life and health care.

The City of Muskogee Foundation and Connors State College announced a $300,000 Muskogee Difference Scholarship Program.

Connors President Tim Falytn said the scholarship — which covers tuition, fees, and books — is an effort to keep health care professionals in Muskogee.

“If you are committed to the program, you do not have to worry about tuition and fees,” Falytn said. “This is a gap scholarship, so even if you are not covered by financial aid, you are paid for.”

The scholarship is open to new, current, and returning CSC students who live in the “Muskogee service area.”

Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in CSC’s nursing, pre-nursing or allied health programs and live in Muskogee to be selected.

Recipients also must sign a commitment to work in Muskogee County for two years after graduation if employment is available.

Muskogee Mayor Bob Coburn said Muskogee has had to contend with a shortage of health care professionals for 30 years.

This scholarship is designed to stop the flow of health care professionals from leaving Muskogee.

Muskogee has become a regional health care hub. It has been hard to recruit and retain health care professionals here at times.

Providing scholarship money to help earn a degree should be a large enough incentive to agree to stay.

The two-year commitment won’t make a student feel accepting the scholarship will handcuff a career.

The scholarship is another great idea and great use of City of Muskogee Foundation money.

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