UK St. Claire awarded $960,000 grant to expand access to healthcare careers in Appalachian Kentucky
UK St. Claire has been awarded $960,000 through an initiative of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative will help expand healthcare career pathways across Appalachian Kentucky.
The three-year project, “From Mining to Medicine: Pathways to a Healthier Region,” will support efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce in 45 Appalachian counties. The project will introduce students to careers in healthcare and create pathways to education, training and employment in high-demand fields.
UK St. Claire will collaborate with three Area Health Education Centers (AHECs): Northeast Kentucky AHEC in Morehead, Southeast Kentucky AHEC in Hazard and Southern Kentucky AHEC in Mount Vernon. Together, the organizations will partner with schools, colleges, universities and healthcare providers to reach thousands of students throughout the region.
The initiative will focus on careers in behavioral health, dentistry, nursing and medicine — professions that continue to face workforce shortages across Appalachian Kentucky.
“At UK St. Claire, we are committed to improving health and expanding opportunity across our region,” said Donald H. Lloyd II, president and CEO of UK St. Claire. “This grant represents an investment in our students, our workforce and our communities. By helping local students pursue careers in healthcare, we are strengthening the future of healthcare in the region while creating pathways to high-quality careers close to home.”
“Provider shortages have affected the health and economic vitality of Appalachian Kentucky for decades,” said David A. Gross, director of education and research at UK St. Claire and director of the Northeast Kentucky AHEC. “This project will help us build a stronger local workforce by creating opportunities for students to pursue healthcare careers while increasing access to care throughout the region. By investing in local talent, we can help improve health outcomes and strengthen communities across Eastern Kentucky.”
The POWER Initiative directs federal resources to Appalachian communities to support economic diversification, workforce development and job creation. The program helps communities create new opportunities in industries positioned for long-term growth and sustainability.
This award builds on UK St. Claire’s ongoing investment in the region’s future healthcare workforce. In June 2026, UK St. Claire and the Sisters of Notre Dame Eastern Kentucky Foundation announced nearly $200,000 in scholarships for 46 students pursuing healthcare careers during an annual scholarship luncheon.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a regional economic development partnership representing the federal government and 13 Appalachian states. ARC works with local communities to strengthen economic opportunity and improve quality of life across the 423 counties that make up the Appalachian Region. Learn more at arc.gov.