[View ALL News Press Releases] ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. --- A new endowed fund that will enhance allied health education programs and support student success at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) has been established to honor Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Robbins of Elizabethtown. The initial contribution to the Robert E. and Rita H. Robbins Excellence in Allied Health Education Endowment Fund at ECTC was made by ZirMed, Inc., a leading provider of web-based technology solutions for health care commerce, headquartered in Louisville. Interest income from the investment will be used by ECTC to expand allied health education programs, develop new programs to help meet regional needs, and provide scholarships for students planning careers in the allied health professions. Tax-deductible contributions to the fund in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Robbins may be sent to the Office of Institutional Advancement, ECTC, 600 College Street Road, Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701. More information is available by calling (270) 706-8580. "Dr. Bob Robbins is a skilled physician, surgeon, entrepreneur and businessman," said Dr. Strat Warden, an Elizabethtown physician who serves as chairman of the Board of Directors for ZirMed. "Bob and Rita's many contributions to the medical profession, their community, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are extraordinary, and we are pleased to recognize these wonderful friends in such a meaningful way. "Their steadfast support of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is exemplary and inspirational, and we are pleased that our partnership with the college will help ECTC continue to meet for many years the region's health care workforce needs." ECTC President/CEO Dr. Thelma J. White said that the infusion of new funds will have "immediate and long-lasting impact" on the college's efforts to produce new generations of associate degree and practical nurses, radiographers, dental assistants/hygienists, respiratory therapists, medical information technologists, and other health care practitioners. Dr. Robbins, a general surgeon at the Center for Healthcare Innovations (CHI) in Elizabethtown, currently serves on ZirMed's Board of Directors. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine, he completed his surgical residency at the University of Louisville Hospitals and the U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Louisville. He has practiced medicine and surgery for over 40 years in Elizabethtown. Mrs. Robbins works with her husband as a registered nurse and business partner. She served ECTC from 2002 to 2008 as a member of the college's Board of Directors. "We are pleased and honored that many of our colleagues and friends are joining with ZirMed in this innovative partnership with Elizabethtown Community and Technical College," Dr. Robbins said. "For many years, ECTC has been a leader in quality health care education for our region. It is our hope that these new funds will allow the college to expand educational offerings and provide additional assistance for deserving students who plan careers of service in the health care industry." ZirMed recently celebrated its 10th year in business and has emerged as one of the United States' largest and fastest growing health care technology service providers. ZirMed's customer base extends across all 50 states and Puerto Rico and includes thousands of health care providers representative of some of the nation's most highly respected companies. "ZirMed is particularly interested in supporting ECTC because large numbers of Elizabethtown and Hardin County citizens were instrumental in the company's initial success and remain as valuable stockholders," said Jim Lacy, ZirMed CFO and counsel. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, is a public, comprehensive learning community serving nearly 6,000 students from 12 counties in north central Kentucky.