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Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has recognized UVA Health and Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) with the "2026 Excellence in Education: Future Ready Workforce Award" for their collaboration on UVA Health’s Earn While You Learn (EWYL) Program — which, since 2022, has been strengthening healthcare pathways to fill regional medical workforce gaps while reducing financial barriers to clinical certification. 

“EWYL stands out as a powerful example of the innovative and impactful work taking place across the Commonwealth,” hails VCCS. 

The Future Ready Workforce Award is part of the VCCS New Horizons Excellence Awards — held this year at the VCCS New Horizons Conference in Roanoke, Virginia— honoring faculty, staff, and student services professionals whose dedication is “transforming lives, empowering futures.” 

'Delivering Exceptional Care'

“EWYL creates opportunities for individuals who are interested in healthcare but may not know how to take that first step into the field,” explains Beth Mehring, MSN, RN, Director, UVA Health EWYL. “For those already working within our organization, it makes career advancement more accessible through financial, educational, and workplace support. Most importantly, our patients benefit as we build and sustain a highly skilled workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional care." 

“The strongest healthcare workforce is built from within,” says Nicole Henley, MSN, RN, CCRN, NI-BC, Nurse Manager, EWYL Clinical Programs. “EWYL creates career opportunities, develops skilled professionals, and ensures our patients and community benefit from caregivers who are trained, supported, and committed to our mission."  

Shares Jean Runyon, PhD, President, PVCC: “The partnership between PVCC and UVA Health exemplifies the power of collaboration between higher education and industry to strengthen the regional workforce, expand access to healthcare education, and advance the health and economic vitality of the communities they serve.” 

Watch this video produced and shared by PVCC to introduce the Workforce Ready Award at the 2026 ceremony:

Also in 2026, UVA Health and PVCC were honored as finalists for the “Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership” from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)’s Awards of Excellence, announced at the annual gala in Seattle, Washington, during the AACC Annual Convention.

Meeting Critical Regional Needs

Four years ago, PVCC and UVA Health launched EWYL to address the region’s healthcare workforce shortage and prepare individuals for essential, entry-level positions within healthcare systems. Runyon says that's in response to growing evidence that workforce outcomes are enhanced significantly when hands-on, work-based learning is integrated with academic instruction and comprehensive career navigation support. EWYL also allows participants to maintain full-time employment and benefits while pursuing healthcare credentials. 

“By removing financial and logistical barriers, EWYL empowers working adults to advance their education and careers without sacrificing income or family stability. This innovative approach improves employee retention, supports career advancement, and builds a sustainable pipeline of highly trained healthcare professionals to meet critical regional needs,” Runyon adds. 

Future Ready

EWYL now includes entry-level programs for access associate, certified medical assistant (CMA), emergency medical technician (EMT), patient care technician (PCT), pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, specimen management technician (SMT), and sterile processing technician.  

EWYL advanced programs include surgical (right photo), MRI, radiologic, or medical lab technology; cardiac or vascular sonography; and medical lab assisting. A new respiratory therapy program is coming in August 2026. 

And in fall 2024 — two new advanced programs launched — as the UVA Health and PVCC partnership expanded to include the registered nurse (RN) program at PVCC, supporting current UVA Health team members who have completed at least one year of service and aim to advance their professional qualifications. 

EWYL RN program participants (some shown in left photo) earn a full salary, benefits, and tuition support while devoting 16 hours per week to nursing coursework, labs, and clinicals — and 24 hours per week to their current roles within UVA Health. After graduation (the first of which was held in 2026; more to come on Connect!) participants transition into RN positions at UVA Health — with a two-year, post-graduation employment commitment.
 
The expansion continues — as in spring 2025, the UVA Health and PVCC partnership introduced the inaugural EWYL LPN (licensed practical nurse) to RN (registered nurse) Bridge cohort. 

'Exceptional Model' 

As of July 2026, Mehring and Henley share that 1,065 individuals have participated in healthcare training through an EWYL program. 

Runyon finds EWYL’s measurable outcomes demonstrate its profound impact. “The PVCC/UVA Health partnership represents an exceptional model of collaboration between education and industry.”