Released on February 26, 2025
97 alumni secure jobs in Lincoln and strengthen local healthcare
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and his healthcare partners said today that the city's U.S. Rescue Planning Act Fund (ARPA) strategic investments helped address and reduce staffing shortages in the healthcare industry by providing nursing scholarships, certified nursing assistants, and Phlebotomist training and certification.
“Our workforce grant to the Brian Foundation helps many of our community members access vocational training and high-paying careers, helping them live a good life,” Mayor Gary Baird said. “At the same time, this workforce investment helps ensure that when our loved ones need it, they have skilled professionals ready to provide that care. It can bridge the key gaps between hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities across the community.”
Mayor Gary Baird was joined by city council member Benny Chauvet at the Workers Week press conference. Dr. Teresa Delahoid, Dean of the Undergraduate Nursing at Brian College of Health Science. Holly Chandler, Director of Brian Health Simulation Center. and Kerana Lovell, a nurse trained through the workforce program.
The third Workforce Week event focused on the city's work to address the shortage of medical professionals in Lincoln and Lancaster County. The city awarded the Brian Foundation a $1.1 million ARPA Workforce Development Grant in 2022, providing scholarships to nursing students, and to certified nursing assistants and qualified community members with certificates of competence.
Since receiving the grant, Brian Health Science College has provided scholarships and training to 192 students, strengthening local healthcare professionals. With a 90% graduation rate, the program helped 97 Lincoln graduates secure jobs and fill in the critical staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.
Grants are directly supported.
50 nursing school alumni, accredited ph tax scientist alumni will be set to 18 more, improving medical testing capabilities for 43 certified nursing assistants and expanding frontline patient care
Delahoid said workforce subsidies addressed a significant shortage of health professionals across the state by helping people who are passionate about helping others.
“This workforce grant provided the means for students to complete their education and the opportunity to travel directly to healthcare workers to serve the public. This financial support made all the difference for each of these students,” Delahoid said.
Chandler said that healthcare simulation equipment and training made possible through the ARPA fund ensures that healthcare professionals are not only knowledgeable, but also confident and capable of applying knowledge to real-world scenarios.
“This training leads to a better prepared team, fewer mistakes and ultimately better patient care. This grant will help improve patient outcomes, reduce errors, increase provider knowledge and trust, save lives and make health care safer for everyone,” Chandler said.
Lovell said the ARPA scholarship will reduce financial pressures during the pandemic and allow her to focus on her academic and career goals.
“I chose nursing because it provides a unique opportunity to care for individuals and their families at the most vulnerable moments, contributing to the overall health of my community,” Label said. “Nursing is more than just a career choice. It's a calling that allows me to make concrete differences in people's lives.”
Shobe called the scholarship “a good investment for everyone in our community” to train healthcare professionals.
“The city's workforce development investment supports the financial health of our community members. These investments go further by supporting the training of healthcare professionals who literally bring us back to health,” Chaube said.
Wednesday's press conference was third in a series of four workforce week events from February 24th to 27th. Daily Mayor Gaylor Beard highlights how city labor investments support financial security for residents, make life more affordable and economic opportunities the outcomes provide for future economic opportunities.
For more information about the nine workforce development grants, please visit lincoln.ne.gov/workdevprogram.
