Elms College Partners with Heywood Healthcare on Employee Professional Development
CHICOPEE — Elms College announced a new partnership with Heywood Healthcare in Gardner, establishing a tuition discount program for employees designed to support professional development and continuing education. This agreement makes employees of Heywood Hospital, Athol Hospital, and Heywood Medical Group eligible for reduced tuition across Elms College’s diverse range of programs, many of which are fully online and designed for working professionals.
This partnership directly addresses the challenge of cost, which is often a significant barrier to higher education. A tuition discount will apply to all programs at Elms College, including both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as flexible and fully online bachelor’s degree completion programs.
“The mission of Elms College, for nearly a century, has been to provide academic programs that serve the needs of the community,” said Joyce Hampton, vice president of Academic Affairs. “Through the Sisters of Saint Joseph, our founders, we have had a connection with Northern Worcester County for many years. Through this partnership agreement with Heywood Healthcare, our fully online programs in nursing, healthcare management, medical humanities, and many others will be available to eligible employees at a price that reduces a significant barrier to professional development.”
Dayna Stahl, vice president and chief Nursing officer at Heywood Healthcare, added that, “we are deeply committed to fostering a culture of lifelong learning among our clinical staff. Our partnership with Elms College reflects that commitment, providing our clinical and non-clinical employees with accessible, high-quality educational opportunities that support personal growth, professional development, and excellence in patient care. Investing in our people is the best way to invest in our community.”
This agreement builds upon Elms College’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for Northern Worcester County residents, including successful collaborations with institutions like Mount Wachusett Community College on programs such as nursing and psychology. Elms College remains dedicated to offering programs tailored for adult learners, emphasizing flexibility, competitive pricing, and online options to support their educational advancement.