Baltimore Sun Op-Ed: How Maryland Can Support The Nursing Workforce

In honor of National Nurses Week, CEO Barb Clapp authored an op-ed published in The Baltimore Sun highlighting how Maryland can better support its nursing workforce. The piece explores the immense strain facing healthcare professionals and emphasizes that meaningful support must extend across the broader care ecosystem, including the critical pipeline of CNAs, medical assistants, and support staff who keep care facilities running.



Read the full op-ed in The Baltimore Sun below!

Celebrating National Nurses Week with 
FOX 5 DC

DWD CEO Barb Clapp joined FOX 5 DC to celebrate National Nurses Week and discuss how DWD is helping strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline. 


Watch the segment below!

Strong Partnerships Create Stronger Workforce Pathways

In this new Miami Herald op-ed, Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega highlights how DWD and Miami Dade College are working together to train the next generation of healthcare professionals and expand opportunity for students across South Florida.

Strengthening Florida’s Nursing Workforce Pipeline

CEO Barb Clapp recently authored an op-ed in the Tallahassee Democrat highlighting the urgent need to strengthen Florida’s healthcare workforce pipeline. The piece focused on the growing strain facing nurses across the state and the importance of investing in workforce development, training pathways, and support roles like Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to build a more sustainable healthcare system for the future.

Read the full op-ed below!

Addressing the Healthcare Shortage in the Rio Grande Valley

DWD was recently featured in MyRGV News highlighting our mission to combat the long-term nursing shortage. With the Rio Grande Valley facing a projected 27.2% unmet demand for nurses by 2032, DWD is actively working to bridge the gap. Our Chief Engagement Officer, Maria Darby, spoke about the foundational role CNAs play as the "eyes and ears" of patient care. The feature also highlighted Dwyer Scholar Ruth Greer, a former lawyer from Mexico who utilized a DWD scholarship to launch her new, rewarding healthcare career as a CNA.


You can read the full article below and watch the broadcast coverage on KFXV-TV (Fox News Rio Grande Valley) and KXOF-TV (FOX News Laredo).

Maryland Scholars Celebrate CNA Graduation Milestone

More than 100 Scholars earned their CNA certifications during last week’s graduation ceremony at Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore. Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk delivered the keynote address, recognizing the graduates’ achievements and the growing importance of strengthening Maryland’s healthcare workforce.

Check out some photos of these amazing Scholars!

Immediately following this Maryland graduation, employer partners were onsite to connect with graduates and discuss local job opportunities!

Connecting Maryland Scholars to Healthcare Career Opportunities

We teamed up with ItWorks Learning Center to host a Healthcare Career Fair at TouchPoint Baltimore in The Village at Mondawmin. The event connected local job seekers with more than 20 healthcare employers actively hiring across the region, including home care agencies, senior nursing facilities, and hospitals. Members of our team were onsite to share information about DWD’s free training, mentorship, and job placement programs, helping attendees explore new pathways into meaningful healthcare careers.

With growing demand across the healthcare industry, there has never been a better time to take the first step toward a rewarding career in care.

Talent Strong Florida

Our team members, Chief Engagement Officer Maria Darby and Director of Partnership Success Teressa Turner, traveled south to speak at Talent Strong Florida. They joined representatives from United Way Suncoast, Hillsborough Community College, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, Lutheran Services of Florida, and Meridian College to share strategies for breaking down barriers and creating equitable career pathways.

The session was packed and created real momentum around this issue!

Baltimore Banner Emerging Leaders Event

Our Program Services Manager Megan Heidler was recognized as part of the Baltimore Banner's 2026 Emerging Leaders class and attended the celebration at The Center Club in downtown Baltimore. She sat down for an interview about barrier removal as an essential part of healthcare workforce development and what that looks like in practice, including access to our Scholar Resource Center in East Baltimore, which she oversees. Way to go, Megan!



Read her interview and meet the full class below!

AltaCair Foundation’s Havana Nights Event

We recently attended the AltaCair Foundation's Havana Nights event. It was a great opportunity to connect with President Dr. Rashmi Chandran, DWD board member Veronica Gonzales, and community leaders to discuss building partnerships that support new workforce opportunities.

Building Early Community Connections

Senior Director of Partner Engagement Lisa Chamness and Community Engagement Coordinators Jodi Jackson and Alexis Hernandez traveled to North Carolina to begin establishing community partnerships in support of future healthcare workforce efforts.

At the Capital Area Workforce Development Board, the team met with Assistant Director Malinda Todd and Strategic Initiatives Manager Jasmin Volkel to discuss alignment with existing healthcare training initiatives in the region.

At Wake Tech Community College, they connected with Kimetha Smith (Nurse Aide Program Director), Melanie Clearwater (Clinical Coordinator), Alexis, and Faith Palmer (Dean of the CARE Center), and toured nurse aide training classrooms to better understand the hands-on learning environment and student experience.

At Genesis Siler City Center, they met with Administrator Mike Wagner and Director of Nursing Stacy Dalton to discuss workforce needs and the role employer partnerships can play in supporting long-term healthcare career pathways.

The visit marked an early step in continuing to explore collaboration opportunities and strengthening the healthcare talent pipeline.

Meeting with Salem University

We recently connected with the team from Salem University in Salem, West Virginia, to collaborate on strategic workforce initiatives and strengthen our educational pathways.

Team-Wide Meeting and Sip N' Paint

We enjoyed a fantastic week bringing our entire team together at our Baltimore, Maryland headquarters, with colleagues traveling from across several states to reconnect, collaborate, and celebrate. From a team-wide meeting about goals and plans for our strategic expansion, to engaging workshops and a fun-filled Sip and Paint, connecting with everyone in one place created a powerful opportunity to strengthen relationships, share ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening at DWD.

New Non-Profit Partnership: United We Stand Texas

We have officially finalized a partner agreement with United We Stand Texas to expand healthcare career opportunities for community residents and strengthen our long-term support systems. Through this collaboration, United We Stand Texas will assist DWD by providing CNA training, long-term career advancement pathways, and essential wraparound services. They will also lead recruitment efforts and community outreach to provide ongoing support for Scholars throughout their training and active employment.

New Employer Partnership: San Juan Nursing Home

We are excited to announce a new partnership with San Juan Nursing Home, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in the Rio Grande Valley. The facility provides long-term care and rehabilitation services aligned with our mission. We already have Scholars placed at the facility, and this partnership will help expand clinical and employment opportunities for students across the region.

Second Annual Careforce Collective

Mark your calendars for our second annual Careforce Collective leadership breakfast! On October 8, we're excited to host another morning of inspiration and connection. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for more information to come!

DWD is Growing

We're expanding our team and looking for passionate individuals to join us in making a positive impact!

Don't miss out on this chance to be part of a dynamic team committed to workforce development!

Know Someone Looking to Grow Their Career in Healthcare?

Calling all nonprofits, government agencies, case managers, social workers, faith community leaders, and counselors dedicated to serving unemployed and under-employed community members! We invite you to connect with us and explore how we can collaborate to become a valuable workforce development resource for your organization and the individuals you support. 

Let's work together to empower and uplift our community through meaningful employment opportunities and skill-building programs. Reach out to us today to start this impactful journey together!

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