Azusa Pacific University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences has been awarded a substantial $5 million Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant from the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Led by Project Director David Picella, PhD, FNP, CNS, GS-C, CPG and dubbed “APU GWEP,” this five-year initiative aims to start a geriatric center of excellence at APU and revolutionize the geriatric workforce starting in San Bernardino County.
Dr. Picella expressed his excitement, stating, “Receiving this distinguished grant at APU is a high honor. APU GWEP is forming strong partnerships with top clinical organizations to deliver high-tech geriatric clinical training and age-friendly education staring in the areas of San Bernardino County that need it most.”
Among these partnerships, APU GWEP has joined forces with CareConnectMD, a company dedicated to geriatric primary care, which operates in over 200 nursing homes across California. The grant will also focus on Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM), in partnership with Chronica, Inc. Other community organizations are also joining forces. Together, APU GWEP and partners will develop a tech-savvy workforce adept at innovative geriatric care.
The program will soon begin to train over 50 interprofessional trainees in a newly designed 12-week geriatric clinical rotation. This interdisciplinary team-based approach will include nursing, medicine, physical therapy, psychology, social work, and theology geriatric scholars. The initiative will also provides education to faculty, health care systems, and community organizations, and the public, to enhance geriatric care and bolster the workforce dedicated to serving older adults.
Renee Pozza, PhD, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, highlighted the program’s significance: “As one of only 42 higher education institutions nationwide, and one of only two in California, to receive this HRSA grant, APU is uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality geriatric care. This training is crucial as many regions within the county face a growing number of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD).”
The US HRSA endeavors to improve geriatric health outcomes and achieve health equity through quality services, development of a skilled workforce, and innovative programs. With this grant, APU is joining forces with 41 other HRSA funded GWEP programs across the US that are paving the way for future healthcare professionals to provide high quality geriatric care that will be ready to meet the demands our aging population.
APU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, informed by a Christian worldview, is now in a unique position to prepare students to work collaboratively across healthcare disciplines and become future leaders in geriatric healthcare. Through its innovative programs, expert faculty, hands-on experiences, and diverse practice environments, APU offers transformative education for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students, aiming to advance God’s work in healthcare.
This landmark program not only promises to elevate the standard of geriatric care but also underscores the power of strategic partnerships in driving meaningful change.