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“Every team member in any role can find something of interest at the 2023 Healthcare Education Fair.”

In 2022, Ashlyn Hughes was working as an administrative specialist in Continuum Home Health and wasn’t sure she could manage returning to school to pursue nursing. “Going back to school was very intimidating," she recalls. "I didn't know if I could do it, when I could do it, or if I could afford it. What did that mean for childcare? What did that mean for work?”

Her manager encouraged Hughes to attend the Annual Healthcare Education Fair, hosted by UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO)’s Professional Development Committee (PDC). 

At the 2022 fair, Hughes connected with Luella Glanzer, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, Nursing Professional Governance Clinical Leader, who introduced her to education benefits available to UVA Health team members, supporting UVA Health's strategic plan goal of Best Place to Work. Hughes learned how a flexible online, hybrid, and evening class schedule would allow her to continue to work and support her family.

Now, she's taking prerequisite classes at Piedmont Virginia Community College in anticipation of applying to nursing school and on her way to a career as a registered nurse. "I am going back to school for them," says Hughes of her children.

Beth Frackleton, MEd, BSN, BS, RN, and Chris Moubray, MSN, RN-BC, CNML, are nurses passionate about planning and coordinating the 2023 UVA Health Annual Healthcare Education Fair on Oct. 25, 4-8 p.m. in the University Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms, so prospective students can meet representatives from UVA and other schools from around the state that offer degrees and certificates in healthcare:

• UVA School of Nursing
• UVA Earn While You Learn
• Blue Ridge Community College
• Bright Point Community College
• Laurel Ridge Community College
• Piedmont Virginia Community College: Nursing, Radiology Technician, Lab Technician, Pharmacy Technician
• Shenandoah University: Health Professions, Athletic Training, Doctor of Medical Science, Speech, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Public Health
• Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions

Counselors from these and other programs will discuss degrees, admissions requirements, resumes, career coaching, mentorships, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and more. 

Now, Frackleton and Moubray share their experience organizing the 2023 event and provide a sneak peek at the opportunities offered:

What is the objective of the Healthcare Education Fair? 

Frackleton: This is an amazing opportunity for our team members to meet with education leaders not only from UVA Health and UVA School of Nursing, but also from other Virginia schools that offer a variety of health career related fields. Being able to talk with the staff from these schools in person is so helpful regarding taking the next step. I also believe it’s a wonderful way for us to support these other Virginia schools.

Moubray: Every team member in any role can find something of interest at the 2023 Healthcare Education Fair. Anyone who is interested in a change in their career or is looking to advance their degree in their current role should attend.

What do you enjoy about organizing the Healthcare Education Fair?

Moubray: I enjoy connecting with the school representatives and feeling their enthusiasm about their program and the school they support. It’s also rewarding working with a passionate group of Professional Development Committee members — from the planning of the event to watching how the final Education Fair comes together.

The fair demonstrates how UVA Health supports continuous learning for team members and how this ultimately leads to superior quality, patient safety, and outcomes [a key component of UVA Health's strategic plan initiative of Strengthening Our Foundation]. I just love how we collaborate with other Virginia schools [supporting the strategic plan initiative of Expanding Our Excellence with the goals of Distinction in Education and Statewide Expansion]. We're all in this together, trying to help our patients receive the best care possible through collaboration and continuous learning.

Frackleton: I love the collaboration with my UVA nursing colleagues! The excitement is contagious, and I believe it will come through at the fair. As UVA nurses, we strongly believe in and promote continuous learning. This is one opportunity for us to demonstrate that. Join us!