Kentucky and Indiana hospital groups create degree program at IU Southeast

These professionals play a critical role in health care by analyzing biological samples to help diagnose and treat diseases.
INDIANA, USA — A handful of Kentuckiana hospitals are banding together to make a degree program to help fill needed heath care positions, according to a press release.
Baptist Health, Norton Healthcare and UofL Health will join forces with Indiana University Southeast to build a degree program to fill needed laboratory science health care positions, establishing a historic five-year workforce development partnership.
“This important partnership demonstrates Indiana University’s commitment to serving Hoosiers and our Kentucky neighbors, offering students the opportunity to gain experience in a critical, growing field,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “Graduates of IU Southeast’s new degree program will go on to provide meaningful care to patients in local communities and across the globe.”
Starting in the fall, IU Southeast Southeast will offer a Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science, training students to become medical technologists or clinical laboratory scientists.
Medical laboratory scientists analyze biological samples to help diagnose and treat diseases.
The demand for the job has steadily increased in Indiana and Kentucky. According to Lightcast labor data, job demand in this field has increased by 5.4% over the most recent four-year analysis.
From October 2023 to October 2024, monthly job postings for medical laboratory scientist positions averaged 435 across the two-state region. Local median salaries for these roles range from $58,740 to $82,900, according to a press release.
“This collaboration reflects our institution’s commitment to addressing community needs while delivering top-tier educational opportunities close to home,” Chancellor of IU Southeast Debbie Ford said. “Graduates of these programs embark on fulfilling and highly sought-after health care careers, with many choosing to remain in the region, strengthening our economy and serving local communities.”
Previously, the program was offered through a consortium with Bellarmine University in Kentucky, but students will now complete the degree fully at IU Southeast. The program will transfer to IU Southeast, along with faculty members and laboratory equipment necessary to teach the program, according to the press release.
“The clinical lab testing done by medical laboratory scientists creates the foundation for all of modern health care,” Vice President of system pathology and laboratories for UofL Health Dr. Emily Volk said. “Without medical laboratory scientists, over 70% of the information used to diagnose patients would not be available. I applaud Indiana University Southeast and the other health care providers for working together to increase the number of laboratory medical scientists in our health care workforce.”
The three hospital groups will support the program’s development at IU Southeast by providing faculty and operational support, supplying laboratory equipment, remodeling campus laboratory spaces and offering students hands-on clinical experience through internships.
“Lab scientists are vital members of the overall health care team,” President of Baptist Health Floyd Mike Schroyer said. “Their work is vital in determining the plan of care for both inpatients and outpatients. Their work is also vital in caring for chronic conditions that count on accurate testing to regulate medications and prevent recurrent hospital admissions.”
Current Bellarmine students in the program will come to IU Southeast in the fall to complete their degrees.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science has approved the transfer of accreditation to IU Southeast, ensuring the program meets national standards.
Graduates will be required to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology national board exam to qualify as medical laboratory scientists.
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