Saint Francis and Rogers State Formed Partnership
The agreement creates a new training pathway for medical laboratory students in Tulsa.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Saint Francis Health System and Rogers State University have signed a formal partnership to address the shortage of medical laboratory professionals in Oklahoma. This new training pathway allows students to complete their clinical education faster.
Why it matters
The program aims to mitigate the impact of a statewide decline in laboratory training initiatives. By streamlining the educational process, the partners hope to quickly increase the number of qualified professionals entering the healthcare workforce.
Students can now finish their medical laboratory training one year earlier by completing their final year of college concurrently with a hospital-based program. This marks the eighth university partnership for Saint Francis Health System.
The players
Saint Francis Health System
This major healthcare provider based in Tulsa operates multiple medical facilities and now maintains eight academic partnerships.
Rogers State University
This Oklahoma-based public university is the latest institution to collaborate with Saint Francis to provide clinical training opportunities.
The details
Under this agreement, students at Saint Francis Hospital perform their final year of academic study alongside a clinical program. This structure replaces the traditional path, which required four years of college followed by an additional year of clinical training.
Timeline
The partnership agreement was signed on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Culture Shift
The move reflects a broader pivot toward integrated clinical education as institutions combat a dwindling supply of qualified laboratory staff. This partnership represents a shift toward more efficient training models to ensure the long-term viability of essential diagnostic services.
Students pursuing medical laboratory degrees in Tulsa will face a shorter, more efficient path to certification and employment. Local residents may benefit from a more stable pipeline of diagnostic staff within the region's healthcare facilities.
The takeaway
By accelerating the timeline for clinical certification, this collaboration helps students enter the job market with less delay. It serves as a practical example of how academic and medical institutions can align to fill critical labor gaps in specialized healthcare fields.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational opportunities on the Financial Aid page.
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Should local colleges and hospitals partner to shorten the time required for medical professional training?
