Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) has been approved for $799,400 through the Louisiana Department of Health’s Rural Hero program to expand healthcare education and workforce training in northwest Louisiana. The funding supports BPCC’s Regional Rural Healthcare Workforce Expansion Initiative, focusing on LPN-to-RN, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Paramedic programs.
The award is part of more than $3 million in funding approved for Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges (LCTC) through the Louisiana Department of Health’s Rural Hero program, supporting nine healthcare workforce development projects across seven institutions. BPCC’s $799,400 allocation represents approximately 26.6% of the funding approved for LCTC institutions, highlighting the college’s significant role in strengthening rural healthcare workforce development.
BPCC will use the funding to strengthen healthcare education in nursing, diagnostic imaging and emergency medical services, preparing students and working professionals for in-demand careers. These programs are vital to healthcare delivery in rural communities, where access to qualified professionals is a continuing challenge.
“Strong communities depend on access to quality healthcare and a skilled workforce,” said Dr. Rick Bateman Jr., Chancellor of BPCC. “This investment goes beyond expanding educational opportunities. It strengthens the communities we serve, creates pathways to meaningful careers and supports the healthcare providers essential to our region’s growth. By investing in our local workforce, we’re helping build healthier, more economically resilient communities across northwest Louisiana.”
This funding builds on BPCC’s ongoing work to create healthcare education pathways that meet regional workforce needs. In June 2026, BPCC received a separate $300,000 award from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund to support its LPN-to-RN Rural Apprenticeship Pathway.
BPCC developed the apprenticeship pathway with Willis-Knighton Health System and Minden Medical Center to help working licensed practical nurses advance to registered nurse credentials while staying employed. The new funding will also expand BPCC’s workforce development efforts in diagnostic medical sonography and paramedic training.
“At BPCC, we are committed to providing high-quality healthcare education that prepares students with the knowledge, clinical skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in their professions,” said Michael Whitaker, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at BPCC. “This investment allows us to build upon that foundation by strengthening our nursing, sonography and paramedic programs while maintaining the high standards of education our students and healthcare partners expect. Ultimately, our goal is to graduate confident, competent healthcare professionals who are prepared to provide exceptional patient care throughout our region.”
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability administers the Rural Hero funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The award supports the program’s first year and is subject to the successful execution of an interagency agreement and applicable funding requirements.
BPCC will continue to work with healthcare providers, community partners and state leaders to expand access to quality education, strengthen workforce pipelines and improve healthcare opportunities for communities in northwest Louisiana.