Baldwin Health and Columbia Southern University Announce Strategic Academic Partnership to Advance Healthcare Workforce Development
5/7/2026
FOLEY, AL – Baldwin Health and Columbia Southern University have officially entered into a strategic academic partnership designed to enhance professional development and provide expanded educational opportunities for healthcare professionals in the region.
Established through a formal memorandum of understanding, this collaboration creates a bridge between the clinical excellence of Baldwin Health and the robust academic framework of CSU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences to support workforce training initiatives. The agreement also provides a 10% tuition savings for Baldwin Health employees and their families, as well as eligibility to apply for the Learning Partner Scholarship. Baldwin Health employees will have access to a variety of educational pathways including associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as specialized certificates.
“We are so very fortunate in our community to have a local organization that not only touches lives in our community and across the nation, but worldwide. What a great, great, great opportunity this is to partner,” said Karen Chastang, chief nursing officer, Baldwin Health.
CSU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences was founded by nurses for nurses, a mission that continues to guide its partnerships and programs.
“Kicking off this partnership during National Nurses Week and on the eve of Hospital Week is especially exciting. It gives us the chance to honor Baldwin Health’s nurses along with all the healthcare workers and to move forward together in preparing the next generation of caregivers,” said Bonny Kehm, Ph.D., RN, CNE, dean and assistant provost of CSU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
This partnership aligns two accredited Alabama institutions dedicated to quality and community service. Baldwin Health has an A on the spring 2026 Leapfrog Patient Safety grade, a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and holds certifications from The Joint Commission, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. As a primary stroke center and home to an accredited Family Medicine Residency Program, Baldwin Health provides a high standard of care that will now be complemented by the academic resources of CSU. CSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and provides flexible higher education options for working healthcare professionals.
This initiative reflects a shared commitment to investing in the healthcare workforce and ensuring that staff members have the tools necessary to pursue their educational and professional goals. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, these two organizations aim to enhance patient care and support the professional healthcare aspirations of those serving the Baldwin County community.
About Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University was established in 1993 to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience. CSU offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nursing, health care, business administration and more. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu or call (877) 347-6050 to learn more
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