Mosaic, Northwest celebrate Martindale Hall renovation, partnership to support future of health care

Sept. 27, 2022

Northwest Missouri State University on Tuesday welcomed representatives of Mosaic Life Care, a physician-led health care organization based in St. Joseph, Missouri, as both organizations celebrated their continued partnership and the renovation that is underway to uplift health science and wellness education at the University.

Mosaic recently made a $250,000 pledge to the Northwest Foundation in support of an initiative to upgrade Martindale Hall, which serves as home to the University’s School of Health Science and Wellness.

Mosaic’s support is a foundational element of the improvement project and will impact, at a minimum, 1,000 students who study majors offered within the School, Dr. Terry Long, its director, said.

“In addition, every student on campus, at some point in time, is taking a class or using a facility in Martindale Hall, so it really is a truly impactful project,” Long said. “We will be transformed into one of the most innovative and engaging learning environments on campus. It’s truly a game-changing opportunity.”

Mike Poore, who was named Mosaic’s chief executive officer in June after serving in the interim role since March, noted Northwest and Mosaic are two of the region’s largest employers. Mosaic employs more than 4,000 caregivers, while Northwest – with its more than 700 employees and by serving about 5,400 students at its Maryville campus – provides $617.5 million in economic impact and added regional income.

“We’re excited about this partnership and look forward to the things that are coming out of this,” Poore said. “Both Northwest and Mosaic have deep ties to our community, and we’re glad that we’re working together to produce the caregivers that we are going to need in our community for the future. We know that our communities are facing shortages of health care professionals, and we are working with Northwest to make sure that we can fulfill those needs. This donation is a continued partnership to help educate and nurture future health care givers.”

A significant partner of the University, Mosaic supports Northwest on numerous initiatives. Among them, Mosaic supplies athletic trainers to Bearcat athletics programs, medical expertise at the University’s Wellness Center and a sexual assault nurse examiner in collaboration with the University Police Department. Mosaic staff also serve on the Northwest nursing program’s advisory board, and several University faculty and staff members serve on various Mosaic boards. Further, Mosaic provided major support toward the construction of the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse, which was a site for vaccination clinics at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Northwest also is a regional leader in career placement with 98 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and nearly 100 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. To help students gain profession-based skills they need, Mosaic has begun partnering with Northwest Career Services to offer paid internships to students studying non-medical fields.

Nate Blackford, who serves as president of Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville, said Mosaic supports the Martindale Hall project in alignment with its interests in workforce development, specifically in health science areas such as counseling services, social work and nursing.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have this opportunity to be part of this endeavor that will undoubtedly have significant professional dividends to this region,” Blackford said. “Mosaic is incredibly proud of our partnerships with Northwest Missouri State. From our partnership in sports medicine to the Wellness Center, to internships and other academic endeavors, our partnerships are critical to both of our organizations’ success and are mutually beneficial.”

Noting Northwest’s mission of “focusing on student success – every student, every day,” Blackford said the organizations share similar values as Mosaic is focused on the patients it serves.

“This is yet another opportunity for us to partner together,” Blackford said. “I do very strongly believe that both of our organizations share a common culture, and that culture is a championship culture, a desire to be great, a desire to deliver high-quality care to our patients and exceptional outcomes to our students.”

About the Martindale Hall improvement project

The Martindale Hall improvement project is a focal point at Northwest during the next year, the University’s Interim President, Dr. Clarence Green, said. One of the campus’ oldest buildings, Martindale Hall opened in 1926 and was last remodeled in the 1970s.

The upgrades will help Northwest and the School of Health Science and Wellness better align academic programs with industry needs and workforce demands. Additionally, Northwest expects to enhance its competitive edge in recruiting quality students interested in careers in the health care field while strengthening regional partnerships related to health science and wellness.

Northwest’s Board of Regents approved a $1.3 million plan in March to renovate the third floor of the building, targeting a 4,260-square-foot section that includes multipurpose space and storage areas. That construction – which also includes academic laboratory spaces to support nursing, human services and school counseling programs as well as faculty and staff offices – is underway, and $1 million is being funded through the generosity of donors.

The third-floor renovation of Martindale Hall is the first phase of long-term plans to update the entire building. The Missouri General Assembly approved $8.5 million, and Northwest is raising funds to match the state grant and fund the $17 million project total by December 2024.

“Martindale Hall and the School of Health Science and Wellness is worthy of that investment,” Green said. “Why are they worthy? The School of Health Science and Wellness produces employees for a job sector that is in very high demand. Also, this project and this renovation will allow us to improve services that we offer and offer those services in a more engaging atmosphere.”

 

About the Northwest Foundation

The Northwest Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, develops and stewards philanthropic resources for the benefit of the Northwest Missouri State University and its students. It is governed by a volunteer board and staffed by members of Northwest’s Office of University Advancement.

To make a gift to support Northwest, including Martindale Hall, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/GiveOnline.