GNTC and Atrium Health Floyd Aim to Fill Healthcare Gap

Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Northwestern Technical College have signed an agreement designed to boost enrollment programs for respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists and certified nursing assistants in Northwest Georgia.

According to the agreement signed Wednesday, Atrium Health Floyd will commit approximately $1.1 million to be disbursed over five years to increase the programs at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome.

GNTC will place at least 10 radiologic technology students, three respiratory care students and all Floyd County Campus CNA students enrolled in the program in Atrium Health Floyd preceptorship slots each year. Those assignments will be contingent upon availability and other factors.

“Georgia Northwestern Technical College is very grateful for the opportunity to work with Atrium Health Floyd and to build upon our partnership of over six decades,” said Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “Today, we showcase GNTC’s continued commitment to providing a skilled workforce for our healthcare industry and Atrium Health Floyd’s unwavering support in assisting us in accomplishing our mission.”

“We are excited about our work with Georgia Northwestern Technical College,” said Kurt Stuenkel, president of Atrium Health Floyd. “Working together, we will build on the successes we already have with the Respiratory Care and Radiologic Technology programs as well as others, creating opportunities for clinical experiences and a pipeline for careers in these and other health occupations fields.”

“The growth trajectory for Radiologic Technologists is double the rate of most other professions, and the need for Respiratory Therapists is growing four times faster than most other health professions,” Stuenkel said. “And we are experiencing the need for those clinical skills right here in our own market as we continue to expand our reach.”

The agreement will also be used to help fund instructor positions and laboratory upgrades at GNTC. The GNTC Foundation will administer the fund, which will create semiannual and annual compliance reports.

“We have worked closely with GNTC for several decades, and many students who have completed their clinical training there have emerged as leaders at Atrium Health Floyd,” said Dr. Sheila Bennett, Atrium Health Floyd senior vice president and chief of patient services.