University of Alaska Anchorage receives federal funds to expand state healthcare workforce – Alaska Public Media

The College of Alaska Anchorage Faculty of Well being has obtained $4 million in federal funds to assist increase Alaska’s healthcare workforce.

The grant from the U.S. Financial Improvement Administration will fund the development of latest laboratories and school rooms. That growth will enable the college to graduate an extra 100 healthcare staff yearly.

Kendra Sticka is an Affiliate Dean on the school. At a press convention on the UAA campus on Thursday, she stated the funding is geared toward healthcare professions that help medical doctors and nurses.

“This mission would increase the educational amenities for licensed nursing assistants, surgical technologists, and diagnostic medical sonographers, permitting us to just about double the capability for graduates in these packages over the subsequent a number of years,” she stated.

College president Pat Pitney stated the funding will assist develop the state’s workforce from inside and scale back out-of-state recruitment prices.

“This funding will tackle gaps within the state coaching and enhance fairness and variety in our healthcare workforce,” Pitney stated. “It is going to additionally improve distance supply to carry training and coaching alternatives.”

The college was one in all 60 candidates for the grant, which is funded via the American Rescue Plan. Alejandra Castillo is the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Financial Improvement.

“Right here in Alaska, you have been experiencing important employees shortages within the healthcare sector earlier than the pandemic hit, which exacerbated the departure of many healthcare staff to the decrease 48 states,” Castillo stated.

In accordance with the mission proposal, the brand new building and renovations might be accomplished as quickly as Fall 2023.