Health & Biotech

The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) is pleased to announce approximately $10M in planned project activities through the Institute's Project Call 7.1 for eight new technology and workforce development projects that will help address key opportunities for innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

The projects align with areas of need identified by NIIMBL and industry stakeholders.

"We are excited to expand our diverse project portfolio with these innovative new projects," said Chris Roberts, Associate Institute Director. "These collaborative projects will bring significant value to the biopharmaceutical industry in the key areas of intensified processing for monoclonal antibodies, viral vectors, and cell therapy, along with measurements of critical quality attributes."

Among the eight projects are two workforce development projects focused on data analytics training and strengthening the pipeline of neurodiverse talent.

"To help the biopharmaceutical industry meet its workforce needs, we must develop new training mechanisms and reach diverse populations. These two new additions to our workforce portfolio help us accomplish that goal," said John Balchunas, NIIMBL Workforce Director.

Since the Institute's launch in 2017, NIIMBL has awarded 123 member-led technical, workforce development, and Global Health Fund projects with an approximate value of $111M. NIIMBL is composed of nearly 200 member organizations from academia, industry, government, and non-profit organization with a common goal to advance biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences continues its strategic expansion, now offering its full suite of hybrid nursing programs to residents of Nevada. Aspiring nurses in the state can become licensed in as little as 20 months through Joyce's prelicensure programs – and all with no prerequisites or prior nursing experience.

"Joyce University recognizes the urgent need for skilled nurses nationwide," said Dr. John Smith-Coppes, President and CEO of Joyce University. "Our expansion into Nevada, along with our recent entry into multiple states, is a key part of our effort to deliver accessible, high-quality nursing programs to as many students as possible."

Since 2021, Joyce University has expanded beyond its flagship campus in Draper, UT, and is now offering hybrid programs in Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, and Nevada. This hybrid model blends live and pre-recorded lectures for remote learning with immersive in-person labs and simulations at their campus in the greater Salt Lake City metropolitan area. Clinicals take place in the student's state of residence, under the direction of expert faculty and local administrators.

"Our clinical partnerships across the United States enable us to secure great clinical opportunities for students right where they live, reducing travel costs and strengthening ties to their local communities," said Mykel Winter, Joyce University's Associate Dean of Nursing. "The only time students travel to Utah is for the incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience in our high-tech, high-touch immersive skills lab, the Joyce Johnson Center of Simulation."

Joyce University's expansion benefits aspiring nurses in Nevada with a range of institutionally and programmatically accredited pre-licensure programs, including the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). Nevada nurses looking to advance their careers can also enroll in two CCNE-accredited post-licensure options from Joyce: the 4-semester online RN to BSN program and the online MSN in Leadership program.

CVS Health announced two new offerings for pharmacy students: an enhanced PharmD tuition assistance program for eligible CVS Pharmacy interns and a new scholarship for students enrolled in pharmacy schools nationwide.

The CVS Health PharmD tuition assistance program is available to all eligible CVS Pharmacy interns and consists of a $20,000 award per year. The new CVS Health/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Community Pharmacy Health Equity Award will grant $20,000 to 21 outstanding student pharmacists who face financial barriers in their pursuit of education.

"As leaders in community pharmacy, we are committed to investing in the future of pharmacy, particularly to support the next generation of students with financial assistance and hands-on experience necessary to further their careers," said Prem Shah, Executive Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health and President, Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness. "We recognize the strong, enduring bond between pharmacists and the communities they serve. CVS Pharmacy will continue to advance the practice of pharmacy and provide more opportunities for students to enter this important area of health care."

As outlined in The Rx Report: The future of community pharmacy opens doors to healthier communities, pharmacy school applications have decreased by more than 60%¹ in less than a decade. With an increasing need for community pharmacists nationwide, it is more important than ever to increase exposure to the profession and to grow and stabilize the volume of future pharmacists.

PharmD tuition assistance

This summer, 2024 PharmD graduates who intern with CVS Pharmacy as of April 30, 2024, can apply for up to $20,000 towards their final year of tuition. In the fall, the program will be expanded to CVS Pharmacy interns in their final two years of pharmacy education, with $20,000 available for each year while working as an intern for CVS Pharmacy. Recipients will participate in a more flexible learning program with year-round opportunities to enhance their ability to obtain valuable experience before starting their post-graduate professional career in pharmacy.

St. Petersburg College and HCA Florida Healthcare are partnering to train Florida's future caregivers.

Spurred by a $80,000 grant from HCA Florida Healthcare, St. Petersburg College secured a matching $80,000 grant from the Florida Department of Education's Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program. The LINE grant incentivizes collaboration between nursing education programs and health care partners in reducing Florida's nursing shortage.

This collaborative initiative builds on St. Petersburg College's more than 60 years of successfully preparing nurses to meet the demands of the changing health care industry.

"St. Petersburg College is a high-quality educator that not only provides well-trained nurses to our local community but also has an impressive pass rate for nursing graduates taking their state license exam," said Leanne Salazar, DNP, MBA, ARNP, CENP, CPPS, CPHQ, FNP-BC, the Chief Nurse Executive at HCA Healthcare West Florida Division.

With the grant funds, 25 nursing students at St. Petersburg College received $2,000 in scholarships, which alleviates financial burdens and fosters student success.

"This scholarship helps students to not have to work or to work less. It can also help buy their books or to do whatever it is they need it to do so they can focus on their studies," said Dr. Leah Olson, Academic Program Director at St. Petersburg College. "Getting a nursing degree is very challenging, and the College wants all students to be prepared to take care of people and the community."

In addition, St. Petersburg College utilized grant funds to upgrade the simulation equipment that's used to train nursing students and purchased new equipment and supplies to enhance nursing students' learning experience.

Together, St. Petersburg College and HCA Florida Healthcare are helping to alleviate the current nursing shortages while preparing future nurses to meet the demands of a changing health care industry.