Trinity employees and family may attend EGCC tuition-free

STEUBENVILLE -- Leaders of Trinity Health System and Eastern Gateway Community College Thursday entered into an agreement that will allow thousands of employees of the health care organization and their dependents to enroll at the school tuition-free.

Matt Grimshaw, Trinity president and chief executive officer; said the move will make further education available to nearly 2,000 full- and part-time employees of the hospital and various Trinity medical offices, and an estimated 3,000 dependents, regardless of where they live.

"This really allows us to cast a wider net," said Grimshaw, who explained the arrangement will encourage Trinity staff to pursue training for much-needed workers such as medical assistants, phlebotomists, respiratory therapists and pharmacy technicians.

He said it's not the first collaboration between the school and Trinity, which operates its nursing school at EGCC.

Grimshaw said he and others at Trinity would like to see staff pursue additional training in health care but noted they also can seek degrees or certifications in other fields where workers are in great demand locally, such as commercial drivers.

He said as a result, Trinity will help prevent Ohio Valley residents from leaving the area for work, supporting regional growth.

"I believe this is the start of something big," said Grimshaw, who confirmed Trinity staff will be eligible in time for summer enrollment.

EGCC President Michael Geoghegan said Trinity remains a major local employer but at the peak of the pandemic, had struggled to maintain staffing levels and the new incentive will help to ensure the health care system has the trained personnel needed to meet the needs of the next 20 years.

He said among staff who sat down to brainstorm ideas to address the shortage was Tracy Miller, director of EGCC's medical assisting program.

"It was her vision that got us here today," said Geoghegan.

He added he's pleased EGCC can make education available to community members who might not otherwise afford it.

He said while many college graduates are struggling to repay student loans in some cases because they haven't been able to find work in their chosen fields, EGCC has partnered with Trinity and others to make training for in-demand professions financially accessible.