By Kristy Warren

Laurel Health provides LPN and dental sponsorship opportunities annually for students accepted to Penn College's licensed practical nurse (LPN) or dental hygienist programs. The 2024 round of applications is now open, and this year, there will be a special focus on supporting those pursuing a nursing program.

The goal of these grant-funded sponsorships is to support the training of new clinical staff interested in pursuing careers in nursing and dental care.

Preference will be given to candidates who live in Tioga, Bradford, or Potter Counties. The Laurel Health Centers will provide up to $12,500 in assistance per person to qualified candidates as well as guaranteed job placement at a Laurel Health clinic for two years after graduation. Following fulfillment of the two-year service commitment, there will be an option to transition into permanent employment with Laurel Health.

Penn College programs offer small class sizes, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and innovative programming that primes students for success. Grant funding for Laurel Health's LPN & dental sponsorship was supported by the Laurel Health Foundation. 

Sponsorship spots are limited, and applications are due June 30, 2024.

To learn more about this sponsorship opportunity or to request an application, contact Laurel Health's Human Resources Manager Lori Covell at 570-634-0540 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Laurel Health has worked diligently to support educational and staffing opportunities. Nursing remains a cornerstone of great healthcare. Our nurses build trusted relationships with our patients. What's more, when you choose a nursing career in one of Laurel Health's federally qualified health centers, you can count on a collaborative team that's committed to helping every patient, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. 

We have seven Laurel Health Centers located strategically throughout northcentral Pennsylvania to keep comprehensive care accessible to rural communities. Our team delivers primary care you can count on, including routine checkups, health screenings, chronic condition management, and help with acute illnesses or other personal care needs. We also provide specialty care services like pediatrics (aged newborn to adult), women's health, chiropractic care, internal medicine, mental health, sports medicine, and dental services. 

Many rural families go without proper dental care due to access and costs. The Laurel Health Centers are fighting to change that. We believe in affordable dental care for everyone. Our goal is to increase access to dental care by offering complete family dental services across the twin tiers.

We have four Laurel Dental clinics in Tioga and Bradford Counties, and  we are currently piloting a mobile dental program to bring needed services to even more communities. 

Want to learn more about our organization and how we serve our community? Dive into Laurel Health's family medicine and specialty services or dental services.