Last Updated on December 2, 2024 by Jordan Monaco

(Pendleton) Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) has been awarded a state of Oregon Future Ready Oregon (FRO) grant to help improve access and entry into healthcare related careers in the region. The ​Health Horizons in Eastern Oregon (HHEO) project will use grant funds to streamline the Medical Assisting Certificate program, add much needed equipment in area lab sites, develop high-tech immersion tools to connect eastern Oregon high school students to healthcare related careers. The Health Horizons program plans to offer two new entry-points with a particular focus on improving bilingual and Hispanic needs within the healthcare workforce.  “As we increase and improve partnerships with regional medical facilities, a tribal health center, and local career-technical programs in our high schools, we expect to see more students choose futures in the high-demand career field,” said BMCC President, Dr. Mark Browning. “Partnerships and collaboration are the core of our approach here at BMCC, and this new grant will help us better serve not only students but ultimately the citizenry of eastern Oregon through trained and ready healthcare professionals.”