BVU, Crawford County Memorial Hospital Forge Strategic Partnership
Partnership allows for employees of CCMH, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower overall education costs at BVU.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Crawford County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) have forged a Strategic Partnership that invests in the communities both entities serve.
This partnership allows for employees of CCMH, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus. Partner grant funding also lowers the cost per credit hour for students enrolled in BVU’s convenient online/hybrid undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program.
BVU professors and staff are also available for training programs, workshops, and more should officials with CCMH seek those services and expertise.
“I chose to continue my education at Buena Vista University because it gave me the flexibility I needed from an online program, but also the stability and reassurance that came with the Denison campus being right here in my community.”
Brandi Mefferd, CCMH Executive Administrative Assistant
“This partnership provides a win-win opportunity as Crawford County Memorial Hospital is always looking for ways to train, educate, and provide resources to our employees,” says CCMH Executive Director of Human Resources Terry Welker. “We are excited to partner with Buena Vista University and offer educational benefits to our employees and their eligible family members.”
With approximately 350 employees, CCMH is a 25-bed critical access hospital in Denison that offers a variety of services including inpatient, outpatient, and diagnostic services. Additionally, CCMH Medical Clinic is a provider-based rural health clinic that provides additional services at its Main Campus location.
“I chose to continue my education at Buena Vista University because it gave me the flexibility I needed from an online program, but also the stability and reassurance that came with the Denison campus being right here in my community,” says CCMH Executive Administrative Assistant Brandi Mefferd, a 2020 BVU graduate. “As a full-time working mom, I was nervous about going back to school, but with the help of BVU’s faculty and counselors, I was able to find a balance that suited my needs and allowed me to reach my goals.”
BVU has long enjoyed strong educational ties in and around Denison, home to Western Iowa Tech Community College, a campus that has collaborated with BVU for decades. Students enrolled in a program through WITCC can seamlessly transfer their credits toward their bachelor’s degree at BVU. Students receive personalized support including admissions and enrollment counseling and academic advising right in Denison through BVU’s office on the WITCC campus.
“The enrollment process was easy, my two-year degree transferred seamlessly, and the classes gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to set me on the path toward a successful career,” Mefferd continues.
“The University aims to create meaningful partnerships that expand opportunities for individuals and strengthen Iowa’s workforce,” says Laura Todd, BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships. “We look forward to assisting employees and family members of Crawford County Memorial Hospital through our Strategic Partnership.”
For more information about BVU’s Strategic Partnerships and partner opportunities, please visit the BVU website at bvu.edu/strategic-partnerships or contact Strategic Partnerships at StrategicPartnerships@bvu.edu.