Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, Inc. (“Dwyer Workforce Development” or “DWD”), a national healthcare workforce development nonprofit, celebrated the career progress of its Scholars at the second annual Careforce Collective Leadership Giving Breakfast on October 8 in Baltimore. The event brought together business leaders, philanthropic partners, sponsors, and community supporters to recognize how investment in healthcare training and career advancement creates opportunities for individuals while strengthening the healthcare workforce.
The breakfast highlighted the impact of these investments through the experiences of four Dwyer Scholars, who shared their career journeys and the progress they’ve made toward their professional goals. Among them was Ashley Wilson, one of DWD’s first Scholars. Ashley started as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advanced to a patient care technician role, and now works at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. She has also completed her nursing school prerequisites and is preparing to begin nursing school next semester.
Scholar Mercedes Hall also shared her story. Mercedes began her healthcare career in 2023 as a CNA and Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA), earned her Patient Care Technician certification this summer, and now works at FutureCare at Good Samaritan. As a single mother, she is continuing her education and advancing her healthcare career to create a better future for her son. “I want my son to grow up seeing that hard work, perseverance, and education can open doors,” she said.
The program also featured remarks from DWD CEO Barb Clapp and Board Chair Dan Baird, alongside the debut of DWD’s annual giving video, “Better Together.” The video highlights how collaboration creates shared benefits for Scholars, partners, donors, and others connected to DWD’s mission. It features employer partner Jeff Tompkins, Administrator at Hill Country Heights in Texas, who noted that working with DWD “makes a person’s life better, their family better, and our patients’ lives better,” and Dwyer Scholar Maraina Phillips, who shared: “With Dwyer’s help, I have been able to get continuing education, double my income at my current position, and fund my nursing school tuition.”
“The Careforce Collective Leadership Giving Breakfast was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together to open doors to opportunity,” said Barb Clapp, DWD CEO. “Behind every Dwyer Scholar is someone working hard to build a better future. With the support of a committed community, that opportunity can transform not only an individual’s life, but also their family’s future and the strength of the healthcare workforce. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and to all those who continue to invest in our Scholars and their success.”
The Careforce Collective is DWD’s leadership giving circle for individuals and organizations committed to advancing healthcare workforce development and economic mobility. Members make sustained investments that fund Dwyer Scholars’ training and career advancement.
DWD supports Scholars from career exploration and enrollment through training, employment, and career advancement. Through its Success Collective, DWD provides coordinated, personalized guidance to help Scholars navigate each stage of their journey. Since September 2022, DWD has served nearly 16,000 Scholars and is working toward its goal of serving 100,000 by 2030.
MULTIMEDIA ASSETS:
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- DWD Annual Giving Video: Click here
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About Dwyer Workforce Development (www.dwyerworkforcedev.org)
Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps individuals who lack opportunity build meaningful healthcare careers, addresses critical workforce shortages, and strengthens access to quality care in communities across the country. Through a comprehensive workforce development model, DWD provides tuition-free healthcare career training, personalized support services, career navigation, job placement assistance, and opportunities for continued education and career advancement.
Founded in 2021 by businessman and entrepreneur Jack Dwyer and his family, DWD is redefining workforce development by creating pathways to economic mobility, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and expanding access to quality care. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, DWD serves thousands of individuals annually across multiple states and is working toward its goal of serving 100,000 Dwyer Scholars by 2030. For more information, visit dwyerworkforcedev.org and follow Dwyer Workforce Development on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.