GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA — Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) has announced a major new initiative designed to transform healthcare education and address critical workforce shortages. Through its newly launched Compassionate Care Collaborative, GMercyU aims to build stronger pipelines of qualified healthcare professionals, advance equitable care, and improve patient outcomes by integrating technology and a human-centered approach.
At the heart of this effort is the University’s new Frances M. Maguire ’55 Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC), a state-of-the-art 63,000-square-foot facility that will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary learning and innovation. The HIC will enable students from nursing, social work, psychology, respiratory care, occupational therapy, and other fields to train collaboratively, mirroring real-world healthcare settings and focusing on holistic, patient-centered care.
“We are excited to launch a bold new vision for healthcare education,” said Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD, President of GMercyU. “By working together with a broad continuum of industry leaders, we can transform technology into treatment tools and a compassionate care mindset into exceptional patient outcomes, while simultaneously addressing workforce shortages and employee retention and satisfaction.”
The Compassionate Care Collaborative is anchored on three pillars: academic programs to grow and advance the workforce, innovation through the HIC, and strategic partnerships to develop pipelines and improve affordability.
Academic Expansion and Flexibility
To meet the growing demand for healthcare workers, GMercyU will enhance access to its degrees and certificates, create new programs tailored to emerging healthcare needs, and introduce flexible learning pathways. Initiatives include accelerated three-year and second-degree programs, stackable certificates, and expanded online and hybrid offerings. These changes are designed to accommodate students seeking quicker, more adaptable routes into healthcare roles.
The urgency is underscored by national data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation will need approximately 194,500 registered nurses each year through 2033, largely due to retirements and shifting workforce dynamics. Yet, projections suggest there will not be enough graduates to meet this demand.
Innovating with Technology and Collaboration
The HIC will drive efforts to integrate advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, into care delivery. It also aims to explore the ethical use of AI in medical contexts, enhancing both patient outcomes and operational efficiencies.
With the healthcare industry facing rising demand for fields like telehealth, home health, and behavioral health, the center’s focus on cross-disciplinary learning positions GMercyU at the forefront of preparing future-ready practitioners.
Strengthening Workforce Pipelines
GMercyU’s partnerships will include programs such as Dedicated Education Units, where nursing students receive one-on-one mentorship at facilities where they plan to work after graduation. The model accelerates skill-building, reduces onboarding time, and improves retention rates. Plans are in place to expand this approach to additional disciplines, including respiratory care and radiation therapy.
A “Live Here, Work Here” initiative will support rural healthcare systems by encouraging local students to train and stay in their communities, directly addressing access challenges in underserved areas.
GMercyU is actively seeking collaborations with healthcare systems, nonprofits, insurers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to further this mission.
“The need for innovative solutions to complex challenges is clear and GMercyU is uniquely positioned to respond,” said D’Emilio. “We are deeply committed to carrying forth the legacy of our founders, the Sisters of Mercy, who have a long history of just ‘getting it done.’ Our Mercy mission compels us to prepare the next generation of compassionate care professionals with a focus on addressing the pressing needs of our time. We invite others to join us in forging this new path in healthcare education.”
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