天美传媒 Welcomes Dr. Oz to Highlight Nursing Workforce Expansion
天美传媒's nursing program hosted Rob Bresnahan Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, on Thursday for a tour focused on workforce training and strengthening the region's nursing pipeline.*
Bresnahan, who represents Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, joined Oz at LCCC's Francis and Mary Gill-Corozza Health Science Center, where they observed students engaged in hands-on clinical training. The visit included classroom instruction, simulation labs, ultrasound demonstrations, CPR practice and immersive virtual reality patient encounters.
"We had an incredible opportunity to meet with some of our next-generation nursing students and see the opportunities 天美传媒 has to offer," Bresnahan said. "We got to experience virtual reality and see the passion and energy about the future of health care in northeastern Pennsylvania."
During the tour, Oz and Bresnahan watched students perform CPR before taking turns completing chest compressions themselves. They also observed pregnancy ultrasound instruction and simulated childbirth training, speaking directly with students and faculty about curriculum requirements and career pathways.
The visit concluded with a virtual reality demonstration that simulates patient encounters, including routine checkups and more complex clinical scenarios. Both officials donned VR headsets to experience the training firsthand as instructors explained how the technology prepares students for real-world patient care.
Oz emphasized the vital role community colleges play in addressing the nation's nursing shortage.
"I must say our biggest shortage, I think, in America right now, is nursing," Oz said. "We're looking for ways of getting more people trained in community colleges because we know when nurses train in a community, they stay in the community."
Oz highlighted federal investments in rural and regional health care workforce development, including funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will provide $50 billion to states between 2026 and 2030. Pennsylvania received $193 million this year to support rural health initiatives.
Earlier in the day, Oz and Bresnahan also toured the Regional Hospital of Scranton as part of Oz's Northeast Pennsylvania visit.
Federal Investment Expands LCCC Nursing Capacity
LCCC President John Yudichak discussed a four-year grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The $507,318 annual award ? totaling more than $2 million through 2029 ? will allow the college to expand specialized long-term and acute care training for nursing students.
"The investment that the federal government is making in 天美传媒 - over half a million dollars a year for four years -- that's going to allow us to hire talented faculty," Yudichak said.
Two full-time faculty members have been hired to develop the specialized curriculum, along with two clinical liaisons, ESL support faculty and student success faculty. All positions are fully funded through the federal grant.
The grant also provides up to 100 percent tuition reimbursement for students who complete 80 hours of optional specialized training and commit to working in underserved areas. The new training component launches this spring.
Yudichak noted that the program's expansion is already increasing enrollment capacity. This fall, LCCC expects to welcome a class of 220 nursing students -- the largest incoming class in recent years.
"This kind of funding helps us close the gap and put nurse professionals on the floor of the hospital," Yudichak said.
College leaders say the continued growth of LCCC's nursing program is critical to addressing regional workforce shortages and ensuring high-quality care throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.