September 20, 2023

McLaren Health Care, Saginaw Valley State University partnership provides opportunities, discounted tuition for employees

McLaren Health Care, the three-state, fully integrated health care system, has announced a partnership with Saginaw Valley State University that will provide all qualified employees wishing to further their education with a 30 percent discount on tuition and all associated fees for in-person and online courses through the university, located less than 10 miles from McLaren Bay Region hospital in Bay City. 

 All McLaren Health Care employees throughout Michigan — regardless of job classification — are eligible for all undergraduate, graduate, and certification courses offered through the award-winning university, effective with the beginning of the 2023 fall semester. 

“As an employer of choice, one of the aims of our organization is to support our team and foster ambitions to advance their careers and their decision to further their education,” said Kimberly Keaton Williams, McLaren Health Care Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Development and Chief Diversity Officer. “With this very generous offer and mutually beneficial partnership with Saginaw Valley State University, McLaren staff will have access to a broad spectrum of course offerings. We’re grateful for this partnership and proud to offer it through our system.”

McLaren Bay Region is one of Bay County’s largest employers, serving and providing for the health care needs of many individuals in SVSU’s home community. McLaren has more than 19,000 employees throughout Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. 

“We are committed to partnering with employers throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region to help them prepare their current employees and recruit future employees,” said George Grant Jr., SVSU president. “We are grateful for this agreement with McLaren and the increased educational opportunities it provides, not only for those working in the health professions, but in any role within the health system, as a more educated workforce ultimately leads to better patient care.”   

Seeing the benefit it offers its team, McLaren Health Care has supported and fostered initiatives that assist employees in furthering their education. In 2022, several McLaren subsidiary hospitals introduced a tuition repayment assistance program, which has already provided more than $1.7 million in loan relief. 

A recording of the news conference can be seen here.