Davenport University receives two grants for healthcare training advancement and addressing workforce shortages

Davenport University has received a total of $210,000 in funding for its new Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness initiative. The funding comes in the amount of $110,000 from The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and $100,000 from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. The Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness initiative will be implemented at Davenport University’s Midland, Michigan campus and will help address workforce shortages and enhance the school’s healthcare education.

According to an article on Davenport University’s website, Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D., the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the funding, “We are benefiting from the commitment and generosity of the Strosacker Foundation and the Gerstacker Foundation. These grants will not only advance the educational experiences of our students, but they will also have a lasting impact on the community in the Great Lakes Bay region and beyond. We look forward to seeing the positive results of these gifts and this initiative for years to come.”

The university’s Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness initiative aims to enhance the school’s ability to train healthcare students by providing them with the newest technologies and tools during their education, and in turn, produce healthcare graduates capable of combating the state’s current shortage of qualified healthcare workers. The initiative will bring newer technology to students in the College of Health Professions and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Amy Stahley, the dean of Davenport’s College of Health Professions, said of the grants and the benefits the university will see from them, “We are deeply grateful for these incredible gifts, which empower our students with cutting-edge tools to bridge theory and practice in health care education. The Anatomage Table, Virtual Science Experiments, and electronic health record simulation technologies set Davenport University apart, providing immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare our graduates to excel in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.”

Three new technologies the school is able to acquire thanks to the funding are an Anatomage Table, which gives students the ability to see 3D views of the inner workings of the human body, a Med Cart EHR Workstation, which simulates a hospital environment for the practice of skills like medication dispensing and patient care, and a Simulation Medication Dispenser, which teaches students accurate medication administration.

Lisa Gerstacker and Bill Schuette of The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation said, “The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation is a big believer in Davenport University. We value Davenport’s presence at its Midland campus and facilities throughout Michigan. We are delighted to partner with the Strosacker Foundation in investing in new technology for students engaging in health care and science.” 

For more information about Davenport University, visit the school’s website.