University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Celebrates Graduation of 27 Employees from Clinical Career Pathway Programs

Developed with Anne Arundel Community College and Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, the programs offer more health care career advancement opportunities to county residents.

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, recently celebrated the graduation of 27 team members from the first cohorts from three separate professional clinical career pathway programs. These programs, developed in collaboration with community organizations, aim to enhance health care career advancement for Anne Arundel County residents and help address the ongoing nursing shortage across Maryland.

Health care workforce vacancies are a growing challenge for hospitals nationwide. A 2022 report from the Maryland Hospital Association highlighted the potential for key nursing vacancies in the state to double or even triple by 2035 without sustainable solutions.

In response to this urgent need, UM BWMC partnered with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) and Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) to create a series of professional pathway programs designed to eliminate barriers such as cost and transportation, to health care education. These programs also supported the hospital’s effort to retain and promote members of its existing workforce.

"Creating opportunities for our team members to grow and advance their careers is crucial to the long-term health and well-being of our community," said Brian Lynch, Vice President of Human Resources at UM BWMC. "These graduates represent the next generation of health care providers, and by providing clinical education opportunities, we are offering real-world experience that better prepares them to provide excellent, compassionate care."

“Together, we are not just preparing individuals for new opportunities, we are addressing critical workforce needs and strengthening health care in our community,” said Tanya Millner, Ed.D., Provost and Vice President of Learning at AACC. “We look forward to continuing this strong collaborative relationship as we build on these achievements and work toward meeting the needs of UM BWMC, its patients and our community at large.”

“UM BWMC and AACC have been valued partners of AAWDC and the Local Workforce Development Board for many years,” said Kirkland Murray, President and CEO of AAWDC. “We are proud to continue our collaboration to strengthen the local workforce by creating opportunities for residents to not only launch their health care careers but also grow and advance in their chosen pathways.”

UM BWMC identified key nursing roles for career advancement tracks, such as certified nursing assistant (CNA) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) positions. CNAs assist with patient care tasks, including monitoring vital signs and helping with mobility, while LPNs provide additional support, including administering medications and changing wound dressings.

The hospital then partnered with AACC to create educational programs that would support both the classroom and practical skills components of the required certifications. AACC instructors taught courses at UM BWMC, creating a "school at work" atmosphere. Classes were held at convenient hours and in a hybrid format to support employee work-life balance.

"Program participants complete simulations, labs, and clinical rotations in our new Outpatient Care Center," said Jaime Van Allen, DNP, RN, Director of Nursing Practice and Outcomes at UM BWMC, who also serves as an AACC adjunct instructor. "Having classes on-site makes it easier for students who are also employees, as they can attend classes before or after their shifts."

Through tuition reimbursement programs available through UMMS and outside grants, UM BWMC and AAWDC covered a significant portion of the costs associated with coursework and provided additional resources for team members.

To be eligible for the first cohorts of the programs, UM BWMC team members had to be employed at the hospital or one of its ambulatory practices either full- or part-time. Those accepted into the year-long program attended classes, simulations, and clinicals at the hospital and were paired with an AACC advisor. Participants in the LPN certification program also received personalized guidance from an AAWDC career coach to help them transition into their new roles.

Additionally, two key biology classes were incorporated into a separate career track to help team members meet prerequisites for nursing certifications. This track offered students a chance to adjust to the program's demands and reacquaint themselves with the educational environment.

In February, 27 UM BWMC employees graduated from the three program tracks: Eleven earned their CNA certification, eight successfully completed their human biology prerequisite coursework and eight became board-certified LPNs. These graduates will continue their careers at UM BWMC, with many now stepping into roles that reflect their new certifications.

"An important aspect of these programs is helping graduates find the next chapter of their careers here at UM BWMC," said Grant Dopheide, Manager of Career Pathway Programs and Volunteer Services at UM BWMC. "We are working with the graduates to find positions that match their advanced skill sets and align with their interests and hospital needs. They are already valuable members of our team, and we’re thrilled that they’re continuing to grow their careers with us."

Isaac Davila, who has worked at UM BWMC for 17 years as a patient care technician, graduated as an LPN and has taken on a new role in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMC). "I’ve always wanted to be a nurse, but I didn’t plan on returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m grateful to be one of the first to take part in the LPN Pathway Program and pursue this opportunity."

Dana Nicholls, a lab technician with UM BWMC for the last three years, completed the BIO coursework and said the program taught her both academic and personal lessons. “This program is much more than cells and bones; it helped me understand what I can accomplish and how to work through the tough times and come out stronger. I started thinking that these courses would help me obtain my LPN certification. Now, I have bigger plans, to get my registered nursing license and my master’s in nursing.”

Shaniyah Hardy and Cymone Wright both completed the CNA pathway after working together as patient transporters in the hospital. Both are excited to participate in a more clinical role thanks to their new certifications. “The program encouraged us to not only stay on track but build a community. We studied together and worked together,” said Hardy. “We are grateful to UM BWMC for this opportunity and for helping us start our career journeys,” added Wright.

For more information on career development opportunities and open positions, visit the UM BWMC website.

About the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) is a 307-bed medical center committed to improving the health outcomes of the communities it serves. A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), UM BWMC is located in Glen Burnie (Anne Arundel County) and has more than 3,100 team members and 1,000 medical providers on staff. The medical group provides primary and specialty care services to individuals throughout the region. Together with community providers and faculty from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, UM BWMC offers a wide range of clinical programs including cancer, critical care, emergency, heart, lung, neurosciences, orthopedics, pediatric, primary care, vascular, and women’s health. For more information, visit umbwmc.org.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high-quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. As one of the largest private employers in the state, the health system's more than 29,000 employees and 4,600 affiliated providers offer primary and specialty care at 11 hospitals, 5 standalone emergency rooms and more than 150 locations and through a network of UM Urgent Care locations. For more information, visit umms.org.