Montgomery College, Holy Cross Health Honored with American Association of Community Colleges' Outstanding Partnership Award

Montgomery College and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital were honored by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)with the prestigious award of excellence in the Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership category.

In 2014, Holy Cross Health established the first new hospital in the county in 35 years on the Germantown campus of Montgomery College, making it the first community college in the nation to host a hospital on site. Holy Cross Germantown Hospital now provides improved access to healthcare to a million residents in a rapidly growing region of the state.

The $202-million hospital added 700 high-paying jobs to the region during an economic recession, and addressed the growing need for qualified healthcare professionals.

"The College is very honored to have received this award. Our partnerships with Holy Cross Health and many other employers, foundations, and government agencies multiply the impact of our training and education programs, ultimately driving student success," said Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, president of Montgomery College.

The hospital, which serves as the anchor for the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology (PIC MC) on the Germantown Campus, is a valuable resource for aspiring healthcare workers, providing students with hands-on learning, state-of-the-art instructional space and exposure to the most advanced medical technology.

Winners of the AACC awards were selected by a committee of the AACC Board of Directors. The AACC represents and advocates for nearly 1,200 associate-degree granting institutions enrolling more than 13 million students--almost half of all U.S. undergraduates.