The UNC Center for Aging and Health announces that the CGWEP (Carolina Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program) has received a $5 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant. This funding will support programming over the next five years, from 2024 to 2029.
Dr. Jan Busby-Whitehead, Director of CGWEP, said, “this funding provides resources to train health providers, care-partners, and the community on age-friendly, dementia-friendly care across the State of NC. This will support NC’s 2024 Roadmap for Aging and Living Well initiative”.
The CGWEP seeks to improve health outcomes for older adults by enhancing training for healthcare professionals in geriatrics. The program focuses on the development and implementation of innovative educational models. Specifically, these address the unique needs of the elderly population, particularly in underserved areas.
Without a doubt, this $5 million award from HRSA underscores the critical importance of geriatric care. It also highlights the need to prepare a workforce capable of meeting the complex health needs of an aging population. The CGWEP is committed to leveraging this generous support to create sustainable improvements in geriatric healthcare and education.
The CGWEP would like to acknowledge the support and collaboration of the following partners: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, East Carolina University College of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Pembroke Biotechnology Research and Training Center, NC Community College Apprenticeship NC, Piedmont Health Services, Inc., UNC Family Medicine clinics, UNC Geriatrics Clinic, UNC Physicians Network clinics, the nine AHECs, NC American Indian Health Board, and HealthKeeperz.