Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday announced $2.94 million in new healthcare workforce grants aimed at expanding Iowa’s talent pipeline for high-demand healthcare jobs. Fourteen projects across the state received funding through the Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant, including Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics. Announced during Reynolds’ 2025 Condition of the State, the grant supports work-based learning programs that combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training. The programs are expected to train or upskill 399 Iowans for roles such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified medical assistants (CMAs), and healthcare technicians. Reynolds says, “Iowa’s healthcare industry has faced worker shortages in recent years. Drawing on the earn-and-learn model for health career registered apprenticeships that has already trained 80 job-ready CNAs and EMTs and has 394 current active apprentices, our state is continuing to meet this challenge head-on,” Stewart Memorial will use its $131,055 grant on its Fast Track to Healthcare Program, which will facilitate local students’ training and education through partnerships with local high schools and community colleges. Targeted careers include high-demand fields, such as nursing, radiology, and medical laboratory tech. Nearly 400 healthcare facilities applied for funding, but only 14 were selected as awardees to share a total of $2.94 million. Learn more about the Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant by following the link included below.
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