EIU Media Relations

EIU, Horizon Health enter into mutually beneficial corporate sponsorship

(Charleston, IL) – Leaders at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) and Horizon Health are proud to announce a new Corporate Education Benefit partnership that reinforces both organizations’ shared commitments to workforce development and higher education accessibility. The collaboration will offer employees of Horizon Health personal and professional academic opportunities through EIU’s myriad online undergraduate and graduate degree programs while also supporting EIU’s vision to be a premier comprehensive university, global in its reach and impact, where personal connections with faculty and staff support students’ academic success.

“Continuing education through collegiate partnerships is a focal point for our organization,” said Chief Nursing Officer for Horizon Health Rachel Kelley. “When our employees continue to expand their knowledge, patients benefit from advanced clinical skill, improved processes, and higher-level critical thinking. We believe that creating a safe, supportive work environment is key to ensuring excellent patient outcomes.”

Through this strategic partnership, Horizon Health employees will have access to exclusive educational benefits, including:

• Scholarship opportunities of up to $1,000 per academic year, applicable toward any EIU online degree program.
• Comprehensive academic advising and transfer credit evaluations to streamline the enrollment process.
• Dedicated support from EIU’s corporate partner specialist and degree completion coordinator.
• Informational sessions and promotional materials to help employees explore their educational options.

Horizon Health, as part of this partnership, will actively share information about EIU’s programs with its employees through multiple channels such as its Human Resources website, employee newsletters, internal email communications, and educational fairs and expos.

“This collaboration with Horizon Health represents EIU’s ongoing commitment to fostering educational growth and career advancement within our community,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management at EIU Josh Norman. “By providing accessible, high-quality education, we aim to empower professionals in the healthcare field and beyond throughout east central Illinois and across the region.”

According to the agreement, the initial partnership will extend for three years with built-in opportunities for future renewals, ensuring continued support for Horizon Health employees pursuing higher education to pursue their professional and career goals.

About Horizon Health: Horizon Health (formally Hospital & Medical Foundation of Paris, Inc.) is a rural health system comprising a 25-bed critical access hospital, an assisted living facility for memory care patients, an ambulance service, home health, dialysis, 13 outpatient clinics—including six rural health clinics and two walk-in clinics, and numerous specialty practices. Specialty services range from surgical podiatry and bariatrics to urology and spine surgery. Horizon Health’s primary campus is in Paris, Illinois, with clinic locations throughout east central Illinois and west central Indiana.

About Eastern Illinois University: EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.