Spalding University launching new health care programs to address workforce shortage in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A local university will add new health care programs this year in an effort to provide better care to Kentucky patients.

There's a shortfall of 2,821 registered nurses with a 15% turnover rate for RNs in the state, according to the Kentucky Hospital Association.

Spalding University will begin three new health care programs this fall. The hope is to help meet workforce needs and address health care vacancies by providing education and training for students to pursue careers in the medical field.

The three programs are:

Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
Associate of Science in Radiological Technology
Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Coding

"It's a win for the students who need access to be able to get the education to have these careers, but it's also important for our health care," said Spalding President Anne Kenworthy.

According to Spalding, Kentucky has nearly 2,000 openings for medical assistants annually.

"What we hear from employers in health care is that they need more employees who are skilled up," Kenworthy said. "This is our way to step up, to meet those needs of the workforce and what our community is saying they need."

Leaders at Norton Healthcare said the more programs that can feed into their hospitals and clinics the better.

"If we can educate these students, we have a better educated workforce coming to us and working for us and closing those gaps for patient care for us, and we can make it improved and better experience for our patients and their families," said Leslie Martin, director of Workforce Development at Norton.

All three programs will be offered beginning in the 2026 fall semester, pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOCOC).

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