Wichita, KS — In a significant display of dedication to the future of healthcare education, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has generously donated $600,000 to the WSU Tech Foundation. The announcement was made at Thursday’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting event for the FutureReady Healthcare Center. The donation will be used to support programming at the FutureReady Healthcare Center, located at WSU Tech’s south campus at 3821 E. Harry St.
The FutureReady Healthcare Center, powered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, encompasses 16,000 square feet of space and features 8 classrooms and 4 cutting-edge labs (including the CNA Skills Lab, EMT Lab, Phlebotomy Lab, and EKG Lab/Classroom). The cutting-edge education space offers high school students from Wichita Public Schools the opportunity to take healthcare courses, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the workforce or pursue higher education in the healthcare field. By engaging students in EMT, Patient Care, and Pre-Nursing courses, the program sets them on a clear pathway toward a rewarding and impactful healthcare career.
“By allowing students to engage with real-world healthcare settings early on, we empower them to become contributing members of society and create generational change within their communities,” said WSU Tech President Dr. Sheree Utash. “The support of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas will help cultivate a diverse and skilled healthcare workforce, ready to address the growing needs of our state.”
With a capacity to enroll 300 students annually at the FutureReady Healthcare Center, WSU Tech aims to serve approximately 175 students in the forthcoming year. Anticipated growth in enrollment is expected as students gain awareness of the opportunities available through career exploration and guidance within Wichita Public Schools.
“At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, we’ve been partnering with local providers, hospitals and clinics for more than 80 years. As the only local insurance carrier in the state, we’re able to be strategic partners to help develop and support solutions to improve the healthcare landscape across the state,” said Treena Mason, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer. “The FutureReady Healthcare Center will be a wonderful partner in ensuring Kansans have access to the care they need for generations to come.”
This gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals and providing solutions for the growing healthcare needs of the state.
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About the FutureReady Healthcare Center, powered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
In April 2022, the Wichita City Council endorsed ARPA funding to address workforce hiring and training needs in fields heavily impacted by the pandemic. Among the 14 recipient organizations, WSU Tech was allocated a substantial portion of the $6.3 million grant, receiving nearly $2.1 million. This funding played a pivotal role in the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, essential supplies, and facility renovations at WSU Tech and Wesley Medical Center. These efforts collectively contributed to the establishment of the FutureReady Healthcare Center.
About WSU Tech and WSU Tech Foundation
WSU Tech is the state’s leader in modern technical education offering over 100 degree and certificate options in aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, and business. In 2018, WSU Tech was named the 2nd fastest growing college among two-year colleges by The Chronicle of Higher Education. WSU Tech serves as managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS, and is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a Kansas Board of Regents institution.
The WSU Tech Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to help change the lives of WSU Tech students through scholarships and emergency loans thanks to generous private gifts, community contributions and employee support. For more information, visit www.WSUTECH.edu/FOUNDATION.
