The University of North Florida, along with its MedNexus partners including the city of Palm Coast, Daytona State College, AdventHealth and Allete Energy, established Oct. 6 the UNF MedNexus in Palm Coast.
UNF MedNexus is designed to be the nation’s first comprehensive, university-based medical and health care nexus, partnering with local medical centers and connecting health care providers with university students, faculty and researchers.
“We are appreciative of the support and strong partnerships in Palm Coast that will allow UNF MexNexus to offer UNF courses in the area which will further prepare high quality health care professionals in Northeast Florida,” said UNF President David Szymanski in a news release.
UNF MedNexus represents a connected approach to health care education and outreach, with Palm Coast being the first educational connection.
Through public-private partnerships, the university will offer its first courses in January and the first nursing cohort will begin in fall 2021 in Palm Coast.
Partnership support includes a financial commitment from Palm Coast, a new nursing simulation lab from AdventHealth, and construction of a teaching facility by Allete Energy, through Douglas Properties.
Szymanski and Daytona State College President Tom LoBasso signed a memorandum of understanding between the institutions that will further support health care education and specific needs of the region.
With the shortage of health care professionals in the region, UNF MedNexus will address the increased demand by providing students with the education and experience needed to enter the workforce, said the release.
In addition to Daytona State College, UNF MedNexus partners include secondary school systems that will work together to develop career paths from high school through to job placement.
The partnership goals are developing learning opportunities through experience in operating health facilities, classes taught by health care professionals and research.