COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Rural Health Transformation

Transforming Rural Healthcare Access and Workforce Development in Alabama

Expanding Rural Healthcare Today. Building Alabama’s Healthcare Workforce for Tomorrow

$3 Million Awarded to Faulkner University’ College of Health Sciences for Rural Health Transformation

Faulkner University has been awarded more than $3 million through Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) to expand healthcare access and strengthen the healthcare workforce across rural Alabama.

Governor Kay Ivey announced Monday the first round of ARHTP awards, which includes 138 grants totaling more than $144 million for healthcare providers, universities and other organizations serving rural communities throughout Alabama.

Faulkner University received two awards totaling $3.055 million through the Rural Health and Rural Workforce initiatives.

Building Alabama’s Rural Healthcare Workforce

$975,000 Award

Faulkner University has been awarded $975,000 to establish a comprehensive program focused on strengthening Alabama’s rural healthcare workforce. The initiative provides tuition assistance to eligible healthcare students who commit to practicing in rural Alabama for five years after graduation.

Funding will also help cover housing, travel, and other expenses associated with rural clinical rotations, reducing obstacles that often prevent students from training in rural communities. Spanning 58 counties across Alabama, the program aims to increase the number of healthcare professionals who train, live, and work in underserved areas, creating a sustainable pipeline of providers for generations to come.

Eagle Care Mobile Health Network

$2.08 Million Award

Faulkner University has received $2.08 million to launch the Eagle Care Mobile Health Network, an innovative healthcare initiative designed to bring medical services directly to underserved rural communities. Using two mobile healthcare units, telehealth technology, remote patient monitoring, and coordinated care, the program will deliver healthcare beyond traditional clinic walls.

Serving Bullock, Butler, Dallas, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, and Wilcox counties, Eagle Care will help overcome barriers such as transportation challenges, geographic distance, and limited access to healthcare providers. The initiative will also provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities for Faulkner health sciences students and faculty while strengthening healthcare services in rural Alabama.

photo of mobile clinic bus with blue eagle

Established Initiative at Faulkner University

PATH Rural Provider Readiness Network

Established Faulkner Rural Health Initiative

Faulkner University’s rural health transformation strategy also builds upon PATH—Partnering in Alabama for Training in Healthcare—an established statewide simulation education initiative. Through the CHS Simulation Center—PATH Simulation Hub and expanding mobile and in-situ delivery, PATH provides accessible, evidence-based simulation training for practicing healthcare professionals, EMS personnel, students, and other members of Alabama’s current and future healthcare workforce.

PATH strengthens rural provider readiness by expanding access to specialty-focused education, realistic clinical simulation, interdisciplinary training, competency assessment, and continuing professional development. By bringing advanced training opportunities closer to rural healthcare organizations, PATH helps providers strengthen clinical skills, teamwork, emergency preparedness, and confidence while supporting safer, higher-quality care in rural communities.

A Comprehensive Approach to Rural Health Transformation

Together, the Eagle Care Mobile Health Network, the PATH Rural Provider Readiness Network, and Building Alabama’s Rural Healthcare Workforce form an integrated rural health ecosystem designed to address Alabama’s needs across the full continuum of healthcare access, provider readiness, and workforce development. Eagle Care expands access by bringing mobile healthcare, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, care coordination, and related services directly to rural communities. PATH strengthens the readiness of practicing professionals and the future healthcare workforce through evidence-based simulation education delivered through the PATH Simulation Hub, mobile simulation, and in-situ training. The workforce initiative builds a sustainable pipeline of professionals prepared and committed to train, live, and practice in rural Alabama. Through this coordinated approach, Faulkner University is addressing immediate healthcare needs while strengthening the long-term capacity and sustainability of rural healthcare throughout the state.