By Jud Fisher and Trevor Friedeberg—
MUNCIE, IN – It’s no secret that East Central Indiana faces notable challenges as it works to reinvent itself. Like many other rust belt regions across the Midwest, we are tackling issues including population decline, workforce development gaps, and housing shortages.
The transition from a heavy manufacturing-based economy requires not only new industries but also a shift in local identity. However, if there’s one thing East Central Indiana has proven time and again, it is its resilience and commitment to building a bright future for residents. That’s why we couldn’t be prouder to support our region’s growing identity as a statewide leader in expanding the healthcare workforce pipeline.
This region has a proud, century-long history of training healthcare professionals, particularly physicians and nurses. Institutions across East Central Indiana have played an essential role in meeting Indiana’s healthcare needs by producing skilled professionals who serve communities locally and across the state.
- Ball Memorial Hospital opened as a teaching hospital in 1929 directly adjacent to Ball State University, which has well-regarded programs in nursing and allied health. Further, a new “Bachelors to MD” program grants provisional admission to the IU School of Medicine-Muncie for Ball State students who meet program requirements.
- Taylor University had a medical school in the late 19th century—from which the university took its name—and has continued its commitment to health professions with an impressive 100% placement rate to medical schools for 10 years in a row.
- Other universities and colleges in the region—including Indiana Wesleyan University, Earlham College, and Ivy Tech Community College—have decades-long histories of training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
- Notably, the IU School of Medicine-Muncie is among the state’s largest sites outside Indianapolis for training future physicians, underscoring our region’s critical role in healthcare education.
This concentration of higher education institutions and their partnerships with leading regional hospitals is unique and positions East Central Indiana as a hub for healthcare workforce development.
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While one of Indiana’s greatest exports is—frankly—college graduates who have historically left the state to seek employment elsewhere, we are encouraged that students who train in East Central Indiana are increasingly choosing to stay and serve Indiana communities, often filling critical healthcare roles in underserved areas. These graduates address healthcare shortages while enhancing access to high-quality care across our region and state.
And why are students choosing Muncie, Upland, Marion, Richmond, New Castle and Union City to further their education? It’s simple. ECI’s educational institutions take an innovative approach to healthcare training—we’re home to cutting-edge simulation labs, inter-professional education, inter-institutional collaborations, and clinical partnerships that provide students with hands-on experience from day one.
Colleges and universities in East Central Indiana work closely with local healthcare providers to ensure students graduate with skills that meet current industry demands, prepared to excel in real-world settings.
Training and retaining healthcare professionals locally are powerful investments—not only in strengthening ECI’s healthcare system but in the broader vision of a healthier, more resilient Indiana population.
Over the past year and a half, this mission has gained new momentum—thanks to the state’s READI 2.0 program—as our region has taken a hard look at what’s working and what’s not. And what we know is that East Central Indiana is positioned for success, especially as we reimagine our regional identity in the context of today’s challenges.
We’re proud that East Central Indiana is redefining itself as one of Indiana’s top leaders in healthcare education by preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals who are ready to serve our communities, earn competitive wages to support their families, and support the state’s health and economic future.
About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. Annually, the foundation awards over $8 million in grants to support place-based initiatives related to arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public affairs. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county, and state.
About ECIRP
The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership is dedicated to fostering economic growth in the East Central Indiana nine-county region as the lead economic development marketing and business attraction organization. Through collaboration with local economic development organizations and the state’s lead agency – the Indiana Economic Development Corporation – ECIRP will work to attract new investment, support existing industries, and enhance the quality of life, place, and opportunity for all residents.
Jud Fisher is President & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation, and Trevor Friedeberg is President & CEO of East Central Indiana Regional Partnership.
