This award provides funding to Gaston College, a community college, to support the establishment of the Lincoln County Health Academy in partnership with Lincoln County Schools and with Atrium Health Lincoln that anticipates hiring 108 LPN and 68 paramedic professionals over the next three to five years. The academy is designed to provide students with pathways to careers in healthcare occupations to meet a critical need for the Lincoln County community. The project will support three pathways: Foundation of Healthcare, Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic Medicine, and Practical Nursing. The project plans to graduate 28 students from the program annually with the expectation that those students will earn industry credentials. Golden LEAF funds will be used for personnel, equipment, and outreach and marketing for the program.
