When Ontonagon's Hospital Closed, Gogebic Community College Stepped Up

The 2024 closure of Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, the only emergency department within an hour's drive, resulted in increased pressure on emergency services across the western U.P. and widened the workforce gap. Gogebic Community College's (GCC) Emergency Medical Services Program in Ironwood is working to help fill this gap.

GCC trains Medical First Responders, EMTs, and Paramedics, many of whom go on to staff the volunteer and paid ambulance services their communities rely on. In 2024, with the support of a $24,923 Fall Grant from Superior Health Foundation, GCC set out to do more: expand training capacity, remove financial and geographic barriers to certification, and strengthen the regional EMS workforce for the long haul. The grant funded additional Instructor Coordinator training, localized lab opportunities in underserved areas, and scholarships, including stipends to help students cover childcare and travel costs.

Gogebic Community College's program graduated 36 new emergency services providers, including EMT-Basic, RN-to-EMT, and Emergency Medical Responders. Three new Instructor Coordinators were also certified, expanding the region's capacity to train the next cohort.

The college worked with representatives from Watersmeet to add their location as a satellite site. This allowed GCC to offer the First Responder class in Watersmeet so students could train closer to home. Clinical rotations with Aspirus Health and Beacon Ambulance gave students hands-on experience in the region they'll serve.

The project also drew additional investment: GCC secured grants from the Michigan Center for Rural Health and Michigan Rural Emergency Medical Services Network (MiREMS), extending the program's reach beyond what SHF's grant funded alone.

GCC's EMS Program received the 2026 Superior Impact Award at our annual PowerUP Grantee Convening on May 21, an award and $5,000 grant recognizing grantees whose work has made a significant impact in advancing U.P. health.

Interested in applying for a grant? Explore current grant opportunities at superiorhealthfoundation.org/all-grants