Midway University

« Back to Recent News

Kentucky Association of Health Plans Awards $335,660 Grant to Midway University for State-of-the-Art Nursing Simulation Labs

Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe joins campus event celebrating partnership to expand hands-on training and strengthen Kentucky's health-care workforce

Midway, KY (10/24/2025) — The Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP), the trade association representing Medicaid managed care organizations and commercial insurers in the Commonwealth, today announced a $335,660 grant to Midway University to support its state-of-the-art nursing simulation labs and strengthen Kentucky's health-care workforce.

The announcement took place on the Midway University campus with State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, a strong advocate for improving access to care and advancing health-care workforce development. The multi-year grant will fund additional equipment and technology for Midway's nursing skills and simulation labs, supporting the university's continued investment in immersive, hands-on training that reflects the latest practices in patient care.

Planned additions include high-fidelity patient simulators, advanced monitoring systems, IV training modules, and other learning tools that help bridge classroom instruction with clinical readiness. These resources will allow nursing students to refine their skills in realistic, supportive environments that complement their hospital and community-based clinical experiences.

Midway's Nursing Program is celebrating its 60th anniversary and the University has experienced ten consecutive years of enrollment growth. Ninety percent of the University's nursing students are Kentucky residents, and most graduates remain in the Commonwealth to serve in hospitals, clinics, and community care settings.

Midway University President John P. Marsden said the investment builds on the university's longstanding commitment to innovative nursing education. "We are grateful for KAHP's support of our efforts to provide students with the most engaging and effective learning environment possible," Marsden said. "This partnership allows us to expand the tools and technology available to our nursing faculty and students, ensuring that Midway continues to lead in preparing highly capable, compassionate caregivers."

"This partnership invests in the people who form the backbone of Kentucky's health-care system," said Tom Stephens, president and CEO of KAHP. "By supporting Midway University's nursing simulation labs, we are helping prepare more skilled professionals who can improve patient care, expand access in communities, and advance better health for all Kentuckians."

Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe praised the collaboration as a model for aligning education and health policy. "When we invest in Kentucky's nursing programs, we are investing directly in our communities," Bledsoe said. "Efforts like this help strengthen our health-care pipeline and improve access to care for families across the Commonwealth."

About Kentucky Association of Health Plans

Kentucky Association of Health Plans is the trade organization representing the Kentucky health insurance community. KAHP is a leader on issues that strengthen the accessibility, value, and quality of health care in the Commonwealth. Members include Aetna, Anthem, CareSource, Humana, Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group, and WellCare. For more information, visit www.kahp.org or follow @kyhealthplans on X.

Media Attachments

left to right - Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, Dr. Anne Sahingoz, Dean, Midway University School of Health Sciences, Tom Stephens, President and CEO Kentucky Association of Health Plans, Dr. John Marsden, President, Midway University, Dr. Tim Campbell, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Midway University

Copyright © 2025 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out