A newly formed group creating a health care career path from high school to the industry has named its first leader.
Shallina Goodnight was chosen Thursday by the Alliance for Health Care Education’s board of directors to be the group’s executive director. Goodnight will work directly with the board to determine priorities and action plans, and will begin her job immediately.
“We have high expectations for the alliance and its potential for providing our students opportunities to gain knowledge and skills that will prepare them for careers in the health care field,” said Grenita Lathan, superintendent of Springfield Public Schools and president of the alliance’s board, in an announcement. “Having a highly qualified executive director like Ms. Goodnight will ensure that the vision of the founding partners becomes a reality.”
Goodnight has several leadership roles across a 20-year career in health care. Currently the administrative director for CoxHealth at Home, she oversees the delivery of more than 7,000 patient services across the region.
She led the group through a name change transition, with Oxford HealthCare becoming part of CoxHealth.
In the announcement, she said that she is invested in the alliance’s mission. Comprised of Springfield Public Schools, Ozarks Technical Community College, Missouri State University and CoxHealth, the alliance is working on ways to streamline students’ education for quicker entry into the medical care field.
“I have a genuine passion for the transformative work that the alliance is committed to,” Goodnight said in the release. “The success of the alliance is indispensable for the future of our region, as it has the potential to revolutionize the health care workforce. A strong workforce will, in turn, enhance the health of our community and fortify our region’s economic prowess.”
