Orlando Health expands free education benefit for team members in Tampa Bay region and surrounding counties

Orlando Fl – (June 26, 2025) -- Orlando Health’s popular employee benefit, the Preferred Education Program, has expanded. Effective Fall 2025, Orlando Health team members will be able to pursue an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or certificate at Pasco-Hernando State College and Polk State College, without incurring any out-of-pocket costs.

“The Preferred Education Program is one of several benefits that support and enrich the working environment at Orlando Health; enabling us to become one of the best places to work in the southeast,” said Karen Frenier, chief nurse executive and senior vice president, Orlando Health Human Resources. “We are 100 percent committed to team members and to helping them achieve their career and life goals. Since launching the Preferred Education Program, Orlando Health has provided nearly $13 million to cover the cost of tuition and books for participating team members.”

Pasco-Hernando State College President, Eric Hall, Ed.D. states, “We are honored to join Orlando Health’s Preferred Education Program, building on our strong partnership through The Institute of Nursing and Allied Health Alliance Agreement. This collaboration allows PHSC to provide Orlando Health team members with accessible, high-quality education at no cost, empowering them to advance their careers and strengthen our community’s healthcare workforce.”

"Polk State College is proud to join Orlando Health’s Preferred Education Program, expanding access to life-changing educational opportunities for healthcare professionals across our region. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger, healthier community through education,” Polk State President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti said.

All seven Pasco-Hernando State College and six Polk State College campuses will participate in the program.

Since launching the Preferred Education Program in December 2020, more than 5,800 Orlando Health team members have used the program, which pays 100 percent of the cost of tuition and books – with no annual cap – directly to the colleges, so team members pay nothing.

Administered by Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions, the program offers an opportunity for team members to pursue a degree or technical certificate at any of the colleges in many programs including nursing, diagnostic medical sonography, respiratory care, physical therapy, emergency medical technology, health services administration, health sciences, information technology, business, construction, hospitality, and more. Team members are also able to receive one-on-one support from Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions academic coaches, and the college’s student affairs and advising staff, who will help guide them through every step of their academic journey.

In addition to welcoming Pasco-Hernando State College and Polk State College, into the program, this fall Orlando Health will also welcome Eastern Florida State College.

Orlando Health’s Preferred Education Program launched in December 2020 with Valencia College. In 2021, Seminole State College, Lake Sumter State College and St. Petersburg College were added to the program. With the addition of the three new colleges, Orlando Health’s Preferred Education Program is now available on more than 40 college campuses in Florida and through virtual learning, where available.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter.)

About Pasco-Hernando State College

Pasco-Hernando State College, a comprehensive, learning-centered institution, serves its communities by providing an excellent, affordable and accessible education, enabling students to achieve academic success, personal enrichment, socio-economic advancement and social impact.

About Polk State College

Located in Polk County, Florida, and established in 1964, Polk State College is a multi-campus institution serving more than 13,000 students with Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science degrees, as well as 9,000 individuals in a wide range of certificate and workforce training programs. The College also operates three charter high schools.

Polk State’s advantages include small class sizes; hands-on learning; dedicated faculty; day and night classes; online options; affordable tuition; excellent financial aid; and a diverse community and vibrant student life, including fine arts opportunities, clubs, and intercollegiate athletics. Learn more at polk.edu.