Beaufort Memorial Hospital to get $2M for workforce development programs
In an initiative to train more health care professionals, Beaufort Memorial will receive $2 million for workforce development projects.
The funding — a partnership with the city of Beaufort, Beaufort County and the University of South Carolina Beaufort — will go toward a hospital‐based education center, simulation lab and the hospital’s People Achieving Their Highest program, a career development program for employees of the hospital.
The facilities will assist future and current health care professionals alike with hands-on access to medical equipment, technology and training, the hospital said in a press release.
“We are so proud to have the City of Beaufort, Beaufort County and USCB working with us on this important endeavor for our community,” said hospital President and CEO Russell Baxley. “Together, we are working to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the Lowcountry and provide pathways for residents in our community to achieve their career goals.”
The city of Beaufort will provide $1.5 million as part of a grant from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control for a nursing expansion and retention program.
“We need more health care workers in this region, and this initiative will address that in a concrete way,” said Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray.
The other $500,000 is coming from USC Beaufort, whose nursing students also will be able to use the lab and education center.
“The measure of a university’s success so often reflects the strength of its partnerships,” said Eric Skipper, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We are proud to partner in this effort, which will enhance opportunities for our nursing students and produce more nursing graduates to serve our region.”
The 6,340-square‐foot facility will be located on the second floor of the Beaufort Memorial Medical and Administrative Center at 990 Ribaut Road.
Beaufort County supported the PATH program last summer by spending $1.2 million for the program.
The program helps current employees expand their qualification by earning advanced certificates in multiple positions. In its first six months, 20 people graduated from the program obtaining positions as EKG technicians, clinical medical assistants and patient care technicians, the hospital said.
