CHILLICOTHE, OH (February 4, 2026) – Adena Health and Shawnee State University Tuesday celebrated a key milestone in their partnership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the PACCAR Medical Education Center, marking continued progress in their shared effort to expand local pathways into health care education and careers.
“The PACCAR Medical Education Center was created with a clear purpose: To expand access to education, strengthen our health care workforce, and create opportunities that allow people to learn, grow, and build careers right here at home,” said Kathi Edrington, Adena president and CEO. “By bringing Shawnee State’s educational programs directly into a clinical setting, we’re connecting classroom learning with real-world experience in a powerful way.”
In January, Shawnee State began offering Master of Business Administration and general education courses as part of the partnership. This summer, radiologic technology students will have the opportunity to complete clinical laboratory requirements at the PACCAR Medical Education Center. Later this year, students will be able to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing in Chillicothe — one of Shawnee State’s most in-demand academic programs. Additional health care-related degree opportunities are also being developed through the collaboration.
Shawnee State University President Eric Braun, PhD, emphasized the lasting impact of connecting education and health care close to home. He shared the story of an Adena nurse — a Shawnee State graduate — whose compassion and care left a lasting impression on his family during a difficult time.
“When I think about that nurse, when I think about us as patients, that’s what this is all about,” Dr. Braun said. “If we can create opportunities for future nurses to go to school here, work here, stay in the region, and contribute to their community, that’s a real win and why we’re doing this.”
Students enrolled in the Chillicothe-based BSN pathway will learn in a modern health care education environment and complete their clinical experiences within Adena. Adena employees also will be able to take advantage of educational opportunities through the partnership to advance their own careers.
The impact of the partnership extends beyond education, strengthening the communities Adena serves across south central and southern Ohio.
“This isn’t just about launching programs, it’s about building a pipeline that allows students to move seamlessly from education to practice,” Edrington said. “When we educate and retain health care professionals locally, we strengthen our workforce, our economy, and the health of the communities we serve. Graduates who train here are more likely to stay here, helping ensure access to high-quality care for years to come.”
Hospitals across the country continue to face a national nursing shortage, with thousands of nursing positions projected to be needed in Ohio alone. By offering education and clinical experience locally, the Adena–Shawnee State partnership allows students to stay close to home while preparing for in-demand careers in health care.
“We know these students will go on to shape health care, human services, and many other fields that touch people’s lives every day,” said Christine Raber, PhD, dean of Shawnee State’s College of Health and Human Services.
Plans for the partnership were first announced in October 2024 with a shared commitment to expanding access to health care careers while supporting long-term regional workforce development.
The Baccalaureate Degree nursing program at Shawnee State University offered in Portsmouth, Ohio, and awaiting approval for an additional location in Chillicothe, Ohio, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.
Individuals interested in educational opportunities available through the partnership can visit shawnee.edu/adena for more information.
