About Western

PioneerNews

Western Honors Great Plains Regional Medical Center with Business Partnership Excellence Award


May 20, 2025 -- maegan.martin
The Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award Ceremony May 6, 2025 (L to R) Dennis Casey, OSRHE State Regent, Chancellor Sean Burrage, OSRHE, Dr. Chad Wiginton, WOSC President, Carmen Nickel, GPRMC Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Christina Koch, WOSC
The Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award Ceremony May 6, 2025 (L to R) Dennis Casey, OSRHE State Regent, Chancellor Sean Burrage, OSRHE, Dr. Chad Wiginton, WOSC President, Carmen Nickel, GPRMC Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Christina Koch, WOSC

Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) is proud to recognize Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) with the Business Partnership Excellence Award, presented through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. This award annually honors exceptional partnerships that significantly contribute to educating and developing Oklahoma’s workforce.

WOSC nominated GPRMC in recognition of its longstanding commitment to advancing healthcare education in western Oklahoma. Since 2005, GPRMC has been a cornerstone of support for Western’s associate degree nursing program in Elk City, offering critical resources such as facility usage, clinical support, and workforce recruitment efforts.

“Corey Lively and his entire team are great champions for Western Oklahoma State College Nursing,” said Dr. Chad Wiginton, WOSC President. “Working together, we are providing western Oklahomans the opportunity to pursue a career in which they can directly impact their local communities.  It is critical that GPRMC has quality nurses and Western is honored to be a piece of that puzzle.”

In a significant recent development, GPRMC acquired additional property and relocated Western’s nursing program, expanding classroom and lab space and enhancing the overall learning environment. This strategic move further demonstrates GPRMC’s dedication to building a stronger healthcare workforce in the region.

GPRMC consistently pushes the boundaries by delivering comprehensive, cost-effective, and high-quality healthcare services to western Oklahoma communities. With a shared pioneering spirit, WOSC and GPRMC are working together to address one of Oklahoma’s most critical workforce needs: well-trained, compassionate healthcare professionals.

This recognition not only celebrates past achievements but also underscores the vital role of collaboration in shaping the future of Oklahoma’s healthcare landscape.

Western Oklahoma State College is the oldest original municipal two-year college still in existence in the State of Oklahoma. Its mission is to provide high-quality education while ensuring equity, supporting student success, and empowering individuals to become productive members of diverse local, regional, and global communities. Western offers high-quality associate degrees and certificates to students in its five-county service area and beyond. For more information, visit wosc.edu.

Back to pioneerNEWS

Recent News

#wearewestern

What is Western Oklahoma State College?

  • About

    Western Oklahoma State College, established as Altus Junior College in 1926, is the oldest original municipal two-year college still in existence in Oklahoma...
    [About WOSC]

  • Vision

    Western Oklahoma State College aspires to be the outstanding and innovative community college known for its focus on student success and its service to community and regional development.

  • Mission

    The mission of Western Oklahoma State College is to provide high quality education while ensuring equity, supporting student success, and empowering individuals to become productive members of diverse local, regional, and global communities.