Funding Supports New Nursing and Allied Health Learning Lab to Grow Regional Healthcare Workforce
Graham Health System is investing $250,000 in Spoon River College’s Macomb campus to advance a shared vision of expanding the region’s healthcare workforce. As part of this investment, Graham Hospital will claim naming rights to the Spoon River College School of Nursing, symbolizing the deep and ongoing partnership between the two institutions.
The funding will support development of the Spoon River College School of Nursing and Allied Health Learning Lab, reinforcing a partnership that creates a clear pathway from RN certification to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Graham Hospital College of Nursing.
Through this collaboration, students complete general education and RN coursework at Spoon River College, then transfer into the BSN program at Graham’s College of Nursing. This model promotes affordability, accessibility, and long-term retention of healthcare professionals in Fulton, McDonough, and Mason Counties — the shared service area of both institutions.
The Allied Health Learning Lab is designed to evolve with healthcare advances, potentially incorporating technologies like artificial intelligence. It will expand educational opportunities across nursing, laboratory sciences, imaging, and other allied health professions.
“This investment is about building a strong foundation for future caregivers,” said Bob Senneff, CEO of Graham Health System.
“Together with Spoon River College, we’re creating an affordable, local path into nursing - one that allows students to stay close to home while preparing to serve their own communities. We were able to fund a $500,000 scholarship at SRC two years ago, and our plans are to continue to invest in the college, and in education throughout the region we both are blessed to call home. This partnership also addresses critical workforce needs across a wide range of healthcare fields, not just in nursing but also in areas such as laboratory sciences, imaging, and other allied health professions.
By expanding educational opportunities and clinical training resources, the new Allied Health Learning Lab will help develop a broader pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet the growing demands of today’s healthcare system.'
Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield stated, “Thank you to Graham Hospital for their support.
We will do all we can to help meet Graham’s employment needs in the future. It’s important for this partnership to continue growing.
We appreciate the support Graham has given us over the decades since Spoon River College began. Thank you, Bob, to your Board, and the Graham Hospital Foundation for your support.”
Oldfield also noted a historical fact at the presentation, “It’s funny — in our first yearbook, there’s a picture of Graham School of Nursing students getting off the bus in front of Canton Community College at the old Canton High School in 1960. It’s been a long partnership, and we appreciate it very much.”
Enrollment at Spoon River College is strong, with the nursing program full at 48 freshmen and 48 second-year students.
Overall enrollment at the Macomb campus stands around 1,300 — up 7% from last year — with a goal to surpass the 2014 record of 1,600 students.
Founded in 1909, Graham Health System now operates one hospital in Canton and 13 clinics across Canton, Galesburg, and Macomb. Approaching 1,000 employees, Graham continues to grow with a focus on delivering better care to rural communities, keeping services local rather than requiring patients to travel to larger cities.
“This is exactly the kind of collaboration our region needs,” Oldfield said. “We’re proud to invest in students, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and adapt to emerging healthcare needs.”
At its core, this partnership is about investing in people. By building a strong local pipeline of healthcare professionals, Spoon River College and Graham Health System are shaping a healthier future for the region — one student, one nurse, and one community at a time.
