Pueblo Community College (PCC) and UCHealth have announced a partnership aimed at expanding educational opportunities for employees of UCHealth Parkview in Pueblo. The initiative allows Parkview employees to pursue an associate degree in nursing through PCC, with UCHealth covering tuition, books, and related fees under the Ascend Career Program.
Currently, 122 Parkview employees are receiving support from the Ascend program as they study various educational fields. The collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between PCC and Parkview, which has included hospital support for several college health programs.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering aspiring health professionals,” said Cheryl Gomez, PCC’s dean of medical and behavioral health. “We are thrilled to be a part of a program that supports people in this community with the education, training and support they need to thrive. Through PCC’s rigorous nursing curriculum, state-of-the-art simulation experiences, and dedicated faculty mentorship, Ascend participants will be guided along a strong pathway to becoming skilled, community-rooted nurses.”
Noreen Bernard, chief nursing officer at UCHealth Parkview, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “Investing in nursing education is not just about filling jobs, it’s about building healthier communities. When we encourage local students and community members to pursue careers in health care and support them through their education, we’re creating a pipeline of skilled, compassionate professionals who are more likely to stay and serve in the communities they call home. That’s how we strengthen both the workforce of Pueblo and the future of local care.”
Parkview employees interested in enrolling can find information about PCC’s nursing program on the college’s website or learn more about the Ascend program through UCHealth or by emailing Ascend@uchealth.org.
