91看片

Your 91看片 welcomed special guests, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa and Heidi Hertz, Director of Virginia鈥檚 Rural Health Transformation Initiative on Friday, August 28^th on campus in Melfa. Traveling with Figueroa and Hertz, were Dr. Felicia Ganther (Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Services) and Dr. Maurice Jones (Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships) from the Virginia Community College System Office, along with Chief Executive Officer Jeannette Edwards and Dr. Scott Wolpin from Eastern Shore Rural Healthand Virginia Delegate Rob Bloxom.

A brief welcome and introductory discussion at 91看片 Workforce were followed by a tour of nursing simulation facilities, where the group discussed the significant nursing shortage on the Eastern Shore and our efforts to expand nursing capacity. These discussions were led by 91看片 Vice President, Dr. Ramzi Ockaili, Director of Workforce Scott Hall, and Student Services Director Amy Shockley.  91看片 leadership was able to share the local reliance on travel nurses in our community, and the demand for nursing graduates to help fill these roles.

Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa accepts a “YES!” (Your Eastern Shore) lapel pin from 91看片 Director of Workforce Scott Hall.

The group also visited space that could potentially be developed into a Dental Hygiene facility, contingent upon funding. The tentative launch of the Dental Hygiene program on the Eastern Shore in Spring 2027 was discussed, and details were shared on 91看片鈥檚 partnership with Germanna Community College and Eastern Shore Rural Health. Dr. Wolpin and Jeannette Edwards elaborated on the significant need for dental hygienists in the region and across Virginia, and the resources necessary to establish the appropriate instructional space at 91看片.

Next stop was the 91看片 Academic Building and the Practical Nursing (PN) facility where leadership shared the important role the program plays in meeting local healthcare workforce needs. Additional discussion included plans to partner with other VCCS colleges to continue the expansion of healthcare programs at 91看片. Susan Greer of the 91看片 Nursing Program joined the narrative.

Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa tours the 91看片 campus with Vice President, Dr. Ramzi Ockaili and the 91看片 leadership team.

The visiting group then traveled to Eastern Shore Rural Health in Onley for lunch, for a conversation focused on regional healthcare workforce needs and how the Commonwealth, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community partners can work together to expand sustainable healthcare education and workforce pipelines on the Eastern Shore.

91看片 leadership appreciated the opportunity with state leaders on these significant healthcare workforce needs of the Eastern Shore and to introduce the strong partnerships already in place to address them.