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 “Sometimes you don't need to have the entire plan figured out — you just need to find out what’s available. For me, the Healthcare Education Fair eventually led to ... starting a completely new chapter of my healthcare career!” 

Find your future at the 2026 Healthcare Education Fair, Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at UVA Health University Medical Center Main Hospital Cafeteria. Learn more about community colleges, universities, and programs from across Virginia that offer healthcare degrees and certificates in a wide range of healthcare fields. Get the full list and download a flyer to share.  

All UVA Health team members who are ready to advance their education or change direction in their healthcare careers also are invited to learn more about education resources, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement. 

Who Can You Meet? 

Talk with admissions counselors and other representatives about the latest information on healthcare degrees and certificates in athletic training, biomedicine, health administration, health informatics, leadership, nursing at all levels, nutrition, pharmacy tech, physical therapy (PT), physician’s assistant, public health, respiratory therapy (RT), social work, sonography, surgical technology, and more. Scheduled to attend the fair so far are: 

• UVA Health Earn While You Learn 
• UVA School of Nursing : BSN, RN to BSN, CNL, DNP, PhD, post-professional certificates
• Blue Ridge Community College: Healthcare Programs, Human Services, Nursing, Pharmacy Tech 
• Eastern Mennonite University: Biomedicine, Nursing 
• George Mason University: Graduate programs in Global and Community Health, Health Administration and Policy, Health Informatics, Nursing, Nutrition, Social Work 
• Germanna Community College: Health Technology, Nursing
• James Madison University: RN-BSN; MSN-DMP
• Liberty University: Nursing 
• Mary Baldwin University’s Murphy Demming College of Health Sciences: Nursing
• Norfolk State University 
• Piedmont Virginia Community College: LPN, LPN to RN Bridge Program, Nursing (ADN), Pharmacy Tech, Radiography, Sonography, Surgical Technology 
• University of Lynchburg: Doctor of Executive Leadership (Healthcare and Emergency Management); Doctor of Medical Sciences for Physician Assistants; Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT); Master of Athletic Training (MAT); Master of Health Administration (MHA): Master of PA Medicine; Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Virginia Commonwealth University: CRNA Program, Health Professions, Perfusion Program

In addition, talk with representatives from, FEAP, UVA Career Navigation, UVA HR Benefits, and UVA Health University Medical Center’s Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) about mentorship, career coaching, application writing, scholarships, and employee education benefits such as tuition reimbursement. 

Light snacks will be provided — along with a chance to win prizes!

The event is sponsored by NPGO’s Professional Development Committee. “Our annual Healthcare Education Fair brings together a wide range of educational and career development opportunities for healthcare professionals at every stage of their journey,” says Luella Glanzer, MSN, RN, Nursing Professional Governance Clinical Leader, UVA Health University Medical Center. “We hope you'll join us, bring a colleague, and explore the many pathways available to support your growth and success.”  

Success Story 

Ashlyn Hughes, RN, has worked in a variety of roles for UVA Health for about 15 years, from patient care assistant to patient access to intake specialist. In 2023, when she was working for Continuum Health, her director suggested she check out the Healthcare Education Fair, and even accompanied her to the inaugural event. 

Hughes always wanted to become a nurse. She originally started college in 2009 with nursing as her career goal, but, "Life happened — I got married, started a family, and put school on hold. By 2023, I had three children, was working full-time, and going back to school felt overwhelming and, honestly, a little unrealistic.” 

Figuring Out the ‘How’ 

So Hughes attended the Healthcare Education Fair to explore educational options and financial resources to, as she puts it, “Finish what I’d started.” 

At the fair, she met Glanzer and others who pointed her in the right direction. “I already knew nursing was ultimately what I wanted to do. The fair helped me figure out the ‘how.' It also made returning to school feel possible rather than like something I would continue putting off.” 

‘Maybe Someday’ Is Now 

"Going back to school as a working adult with a family can feel overwhelming because there are so many questions: where to start, how to pay for it, how to balance work and school, and whether it is even realistic. The fair gave me a place to ask those questions and learn about what I may not have otherwise known is available.It helped turn ‘maybe someday’ into an actual plan!” 

Hughes re-enrolled at Piedmont Virginia Community College in 2023, completed/retook the prerequisites she needed, and was accepted into the nursing program beginning in fall 2024. "Then I was also fortunate to be selected for the first UVA Health Earn While You Learn RN cohort, which gave me additional support and flexibility while completing nursing school.” 

Hughes graduated in May 2026, passed the NCLEX in June 2026, and became a RN. After eight years at Continuum Home Health, she moved into her new role as an RN Clinician I in the University Medical Center Main Operating Room in August 2026. 

"UVA Health has been a huge part of my adult life and my professional growth,” explains Hughes. “I essentially grew up here professionally. UVA Health gave me the support and opportunity to finally accomplish a goal I'd had for many years. Being able to begin this new chapter of my career in the same organization where I started almost 15 years ago makes it even more meaningful!" 

'We're Here for You!'

“The Healthcare Education Fair is a wonderful opportunity to speak to representatives from many different colleges, universities, and programs eager to share information about what they have to offer,” says Chris Moubray MSN, AMB-BC, CNML, NPD-BC, Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Nursing Professional Development Services. “Information on a vast array of programs will be available from entry level to doctoral programs. Want to know what it takes to be a flight nurse, nurse anesthetist, sonographer, pharmacy technician, or patient care technician?  This fair may be just what's needed to launch you in that direction! Curious about how to pay for your education, what certification support is available, or gaining credit hours through Relias? We’re here for you!” 

Sums up Hughes: “I hope my story encourages other UVA Health employees to attend the fair even if they aren't sure yet what their next step is. Sometimes you don't need to have the entire plan figured out — you just need to find out what’s available. For me, the Healthcare Education Fair eventually led to nursing school, Earn While You Learn, becoming an RN, and starting a completely new chapter of my healthcare career!” 

Spread the Word 

Download and print a flyer to share. See the schools, contacts, program materials, educational benefits, and other resources. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org or scan the QR code.