PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Medical Center Foundation has created a $400,000 scholarship program to help increase the number of healthcare workers in Clallam County and to allow current OMC employees to further their education.
OMC Foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner announced the program at the June 7 OMC commissioners meeting.
“One of the biggest obstacles that current employees, adults who want to change careers, and students face when they want to enter or advance in the healthcare field is the cost,” Skinner said.
“We want to take that out of the equation, as we plan on these being significant awards.”
Skinner said the scholarship will be open to just about all interested in pursuing healthcare education.
“It’s open to almost anyone. I say that because there are three groups, one is hospital employees who want to further their education, the other is high school students interested in careers in healthcare and want to go to Peninsula College and finally anyone who wants to go to Peninsula College,” Skinner said.
The size of the scholarships has not been ironed out yet, but Skinner said they could range from $2,000 to $15,000 depending on the program and career pursuits of the individual.
A key qualification for applicants will be that they must have been accepted into a medical care program at Peninsula College or, in the case of a hospital employee, pursuing a medical care program at a supported university.
“For example, if you are an RN and you want to get your bachelor’s degree, that’s not offered at Peninsula College, so they will need to go elsewhere, but the scholarship will still apply,” Skinner said.
Applications are expected to be available sometime in July.
Traditionally when the OMC Foundation has a pot of money to give to the hospital, it asks what the hospital needs, usually a piece of equipment.
In this case, hospital officials came to the foundation.
Instead of equipment, “It was that the biggest challenge that we ( OMC) have is a shrinking workforce,” Skinner said.
OMC CEO Darryl Wolfe shared his appreciation for the gift from the foundation.
“We are extremely appreciative of this gift,” he said. “Growing the workforce is one of the most significant challenges facing the healthcare industry and OMC today.”
“By offering scholarships, we feel that we’ll be able to increase the potential employee pool that OMC can draw from,” he added. “It will also help the rest of the industry in the county.”
Skinner said the foundation plans to continue this program in the years to come, noting that the shortage will not be solved in just one year.
“Every industry has labor shortages, and the healthcare industry is no exception,” he said.
Those interested in more information or in donating can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144 or email bruce@omhf.org. Donations also can mailed to OMC Foundation, 1015 Georgiana St., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
“We hope that many local people will become a part of our fundraising efforts,” Skinner said.
