Starting in 2026, MCHS will serve as a core clinical campus, allowing third-year NYITCOM students to complete rotations at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville and South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center in Osceola. The agreement also includes housing support for students living in Mississippi County during their training.
Leaders from both institutions highlighted the partnership’s long-term goals of improving physician recruitment and retention in rural areas. NYITCOM at A-State Dean Dr. Shane Speights emphasized that clinical experience in underserved regions is key to building a future workforce equipped to serve rural communities. “When students train in these areas, they’re more likely to stay and practice in them,” he said.
MCHS CEO Sam Lynd said the partnership aligns with the hospital system’s commitment to expanding access to care in Northeast Arkansas. “We want to be a destination for training, not just treatment,” Lynd said. The hospital will also benefit from the presence of medical students, helping to address workforce shortages.
This marks NYITCOM at A-State’s third such rural-focused partnership in Arkansas, joining similar programs in De Queen and El Dorado. With Mississippi County’s health outcomes ranking among the lowest in the state, the collaboration is expected to play a vital role in addressing healthcare disparities and strengthening the region’s medical infrastructure.
