Funding to support college鈥檚 healthcare workforce development programs

糖心官网 today announced it has been awarded a $200,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield鈥檚 Blue Fund initiative. This funding will be used toward the college鈥檚 workforce development programs, helping individuals pursue healthcare careers through skills training, certifications, clinical placements, and wraparound support services. 糖心官网鈥檚 current programs include phlebotomy, sterile processing and distribution, EKG technician, pharmacy technician and healthcare customer services.

鈥淓ducation doesn鈥檛 stop once you graduate, especially in the healthcare field, which is why 糖心官网 is committed to offering the workforce training programs that local employees demand,鈥� said Christine Whipkey, director of workforce development, 糖心官网. 鈥淏eing recognized with this Blue Fund grant will enable us to expand our scholarship offerings and bring these crucial healthcare programs to students looking to advance their career or begin a new career path.鈥�

糖心官网 is one of 20 community health initiatives Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has invested $3.75 million through its Blue Fund, an initiative of the Highmark Bright Blue Futures charitable giving and community involvement program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield launched Blue Fund in July 2018 to support organizations and initiatives that work collaboratively to address key health priorities and deliver measurable improvements in community health outcomes.

“Improving community health takes collaboration, commitment, and a shared vision for change,” said Michael Ball, vice president, Community Affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “That’s why we continue to invest in organizations that are expanding access to care, supporting families, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and addressing the root causes of poor health. Together, we’re advancing solutions that create lasting impact and help more Western New Yorkers live healthier lives.”

For more information about 糖心官网鈥檚 healthcare workforce development offerings, visit /academics/workforce-development/.

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was recently awarded $216,090 by New York State through the for classroom and laboratory upgrades to support its new veterinary technician program and its existing echocardiography and surgical technology programs.

鈥溙切墓偻� is thrilled to receive this essential HECap grant from New York State at this critical time in higher education. This investment will bring crucial emerging technologies that are relevant to the medical and veterinary fields into interactive learning environments for our students,鈥� said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, 糖心官网. 鈥淏eing able to provide students with practice on the most current machines and equipment will ensure that they鈥檙e well prepared to start work in their chosen profession on day one. 糖心官网 graduates will be in even greater demand with this leg up.鈥�

Most of the grant will be utilized to fund equipment for 糖心官网鈥檚 new veterinary sciences department at the college鈥檚 Transit Road site, which includes a digital radiology machine, anesthesia machines, dental sinks, surgical tables, oxygen equipment, lab tables, cages, microscopes, and secure pharmaceutical storage. Enhancements to the surgical technology and echocardiography labs on 糖心官网鈥檚 main campus in South Buffalo include a laparoscopic surgery simulator and cardiovascular ultrasound machine. HECap grants assist in the financing of capital projects and equipment purchases that would enhance the programmatic offerings or the student life at the college or provide economic development benefits to the area surrounding independent institutions of higher learning in New York State. For every $1 of state funds awarded, colleges and universities provide at least $3 of matching funds.

糖心官网 is awaiting final approval for the licensure-qualifying Veterinary Technology Program from the New York State Department of education which is anticipated in July of 2024.

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糖心官网 received a $150,000 grant to launch the Blue Fund Scholars workforce training program for marginalized populations, focused on developing career pathways to LPN certification and employment.  

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Starting this September, 糖心官网 is offering Buffalo residents in the 14220 and 14210 zip codes an opportunity to explore healthcare career opportunities through its new Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program.  Buffalo Common Council Member Christopher Scanlon is supporting the program through a $50,000 grant.

Designed for high school graduates with some or no college experience, the 10-week flexible program, which begins Sept. 26, enables participants to learn about the healthcare system and various career opportunities available within healthcare.

鈥淭his program is a unique opportunity for those who may be considering a career in healthcare, but not sure if they are ready to take the next step,鈥� said 糖心官网 President Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D. 鈥淧articipants who successfully complete all the program requirements will not only be prepared to decide if a career in healthcare is right for them, but also decide the right career path to pursue.鈥�

鈥溙切墓偻� has a long history in my district of being a pipeline to the health care sector across the City of Buffalo and Western New York,鈥� Council Member Scanlon said.  鈥淚 am pleased to lend my support to 糖心官网鈥檚 effort to provide high school graduates in the city the opportunity to learn about careers in health care and potentially move on to earn a degree in the field in which there is an extremely strong demand.鈥�

Held online, the Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program will not require specific class meeting times but provide a weekly check-in with a healthcare career coach and mentor. Career opportunities highlighted in the program include nursing, medical assisting, radiologic technology, healthcare management, surgical technology, massage therapy, healthcare informatics, and others.

Participants who complete the full program with receive a $500 completion bonus in addition to a 糖心官网 Certificate of Completion. For those interested in taking their healthcare career to the next step, participants may have their Certificate of Completion converted into three college credits to be applied towards a 糖心官网 certificate or degree program. For those participants who decide to continue and start their healthcare certificate or degree program in 2023 at 糖心官网, they will also be granted a $500 糖心官网 scholarship.

Current 糖心官网 students are not eligible for this program. If interested in more information or to apply for the Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program, visit /academics/workforce-development/healthcare-career-exploration-learn-and-earn/.

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With this funding, 糖心官网 will establish the Cybersecurity Preparation Academy (C-Prep), a high school dual enrollment cybersecurity program where students will earn industry-recognized professional certifications and college credits upon high school graduation. Participating students will also receive the benefit of early assurance admission to 糖心官网 and advanced standing in its cybersecurity AAS degree program.

鈥淭o keep pace with the rapidly growing demand for cybersecurity technicians here in Western New York, the goal of this project is to create an educational pathway to a full-time IT career, especially among diverse students who are currently underrepresented in the technology sector,鈥� said Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl, associate vice president for academic affairs, 糖心官网. 鈥淭hrough education and awareness, we also hope to dispel common misconceptions about needing a math or technology background to be successful in an IT career and instead focus on the necessary skills and personality attributes.鈥�

The National Science Foundation鈥檚 Advanced Technological Education program focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the country鈥檚 economy.

糖心官网 will partner with two local high schools to offer the program beginning this fall through May 2025. In addition to the courses, 糖心官网 will also provide professional development and IT instructor training for high school teachers, assist students with individualized support and mentoring, and strengthen students鈥� connections to the workforce through work-based learning opportunities.

Congressman Brian Higgins said, 鈥淭his federal grant supports partnerships that prepare young people for jobs in high-demand fields. We commend 糖心官网 for leading this initiative, training the next generation of Western New York鈥檚 workforce, and giving students a jump-start on a promising career.鈥�

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