Students, leaders celebrate growing healthcare pipeline in New Hanover County
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW hosted a panel discussion Monday about the impact of a healthcare career partnership funded by the New Hanover Community Endowment.
At the event, students and staff spoke about their experiences with the partnership.
UNCW, Cape Fear Community College, New Hanover County Schools and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce are all part of the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership. A collaborative effort funded by the endowment to recruit, train and retain healthcare workers.
Cape Fear Community College President Jim Morton says in 2024 alone, $255,000 in scholarships were awarded to 121 future nurses.
Since then, more than $510,000 in housing assistance has also been awarded.
“So is this working? Well, the results speak for themselves. At the end of Spring semester, every student who received a housing stipend remains enrolled in our nursing program,” Morton said.
Morton added that there is also an emergency assistance fund for a safety net for students. They’ve awarded over $26,000 so students can continue their education.
New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Barnes was also in attendance. He said they’ve reintroduced the nursing fundamentals program with new technology. Dr. Barnes added the nurse aid program has 36 graduates this month. Students can start as early as 5th grade by taking health science exploratory classes.
Dr. Jack Watson, the dean of the college of health and human services at UNCW says there are over a dozen programs in the county between the partnerships.
The ‘Try Teal’ program collaborates with CFCC to give advanced students in the associate degree and nursing program to take two students in the RN -BSN programs. Students are provided with free admission, tuition, books, and other resources necessary.
Another program is the Coastal Community Healthcare Fellows Program which provides networking and mentoring opportunities. As well as financial assistance to be able to stay in the program.
Courtney Chaplin, a nursing student at Cape Fear Community College, says without that support, she wouldn’t be in nursing school today.
“Beyond the financial help these programs gave me something just as valuable, belonging. They reminded me that I’m not doing this alone and that there are people and institutions that are invested in seeing future nurses succeed,” Chaplin shared.
Steven Hill is the vice president of the talent pipeline development at the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Area Health Education Center. Hill was one of the panelists and spoke about how employers are engaging such as clinicals.
Sophie Dagenais, vice president of programs and grants with the Endowment says retaining nursing students is essential.
“Whether it’s our business community or our educational institutions that our students should be able to complete their enrollment, to finish their education, and our employers should be able to maintain their workforce will make our entire community that much stronger,” Dagenais said.
Health care workers will be in high demand.
The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of more than 85,000 physicians by 2036.
More programs:
- Future Health Scholars (5th-8th grade)
- CFCC Roadshow (6th-8th grade)
- Wilmington’s Chamber of Commerce Career & Leadership Development Academy (7th grade)
- CFCC Career Academy (7th-8th grade)
- SERVE (9th-10th grade)
- Interdisciplinary Health Professional Summer Summit, iHPSS (9th-12th grade)
- iHEAL (Rising 9th grade)
- Precollege Mentoring Programs (10th grade)
- Novant VITALS (12th grade freshman)
- CFCC Roadshowe (9th-12th grade)
- HOSA (9th-12th grade)
- Healthcare Career Exploration (11th grade)
- Health Science Showcase (11th-12th grade)
- Novant Pathways to Nursing
- SEEDS (1st & 2nd year)
- Health Equity Bonner Fellowship (1st year, 1st time freshman)
- Novant VITALS (1st year, 1st time freshman)
- Catalyst for Change (junior summer research)
- SEEDS Prelicensure for RN-BSN (junior/senior access)
