Sheridan College students gain additional clinical opportunities

Through partnerships with Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) and Whitney Benefits, students at Sheridan College (SC) will have additional opportunities to train in fields related to behavioral health. By pursuing a degree or certificate in Human Services, Nursing, and/or Addictions Practitioner through SC, students will have the chance to work with professionals in clinical settings, including the new Pathways Behavioral Health Center at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. The center is on track to open in the fall of 2026, according to SMH officials. The project was supported by the College through a $350,000 grant which came from Whitney Benefits and supports the expanded opportunities for students at SMH.

“As the need for behavioral health services increases, so too does the need for a well-prepared workforce,” said SC President, Dr. Walt Tribley. “Our plan directly addresses that need by strengthening the pipeline of skilled professionals who are ready to step into essential roles in hospitals, clinics, and community care settings.”

The new center will include three specialized units: Behavioral Health Clinic, Crisis Stabilization Unit, and Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit. According to Sheridan College Faculty Kyle Rice, a significant challenge in Wyoming is the limited access to timely psychiatric care and acute inpatient psychiatric beds. This problem is compounded by a shortage of clinical and social psychiatric personnel, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, behavioral health technicians, mental health counselors, and social workers. According to Rice, Sheridan College offers a variety of programs that uniquely equip students to fill shortages in the behavioral health industry.

“The collaborative relationship between the College and the Hospital’s new behavioral health center will provide immersive, hands-on clinical experiences for students – equipping them with the clinical skills, professional confidence, and empathic understanding required to serve on the front lines of mental and behavioral health care,” said Rice. SC students in all health-related fields benefit by partnerships with care-giving businesses throughout our region, explained Tribley. The leadership by SMH and Whitney Benefits opens additional doors that will ultimately help our entire region. “We are grateful for amazing partners, who continue to support our students and community.”