Stanislaus State has received a $2.5 million capital grant from Health Plan of San Joaquin to expand nursing education and workforce training at the University’s Stockton Campus, supporting the creation of the Health Plan of San Joaquin Health and Human Services (HHS) Training Center in the new academic building, Willow Hall, which will officially be dedicated on Thursday, March 26.
The investment will fund a dedicated suite of simulation training laboratories and clinical skills labs on the second floor of Willow Hall, strengthening and expanding hands-on training for nursing students preparing to serve communities across the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
“We are honored to partner with Stanislaus State to expand access to high-quality education and strengthen the pipeline of future health professionals,” said Lizeth Granados, CEO of Health Plan of San Joaquin. “By growing clinical training capacity, we take a meaningful step toward addressing the Central Valley’s workforce shortages and advancing our shared commitment to a healthier future defined by measurable improvements in health outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Addressing a Critical Regional Workforce Need
The grant was awarded through Health Plan of San Joaquin’s Community Reinvestment Program to support regional health workforce development and expand the number of bachelor’s-prepared nurses serving San Joaquin Valley.
Communities across the Northern San Joaquin Valley face persistent shortages of health care providers and ongoing health disparities. Many counties are federally designated medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas, highlighting critical gaps in access to care. These conditions are compounded by high levels of social vulnerability — including poverty, limited transportation and crowded housing — which create additional barriers to timely, preventive care.
Stanislaus State serves many students who come directly from these communities and are deeply committed to improving health outcomes in the region. Expanding clinical training capacity at the Stockton Campus will help increase the number of locally trained nurses entering the workforce.
“This region urgently needs more highly trained health and human services professionals,” said Sarah Sweitzer, dean of the Stockton Campus. “The Health Plan of San Joaquin HHS Training Center will provide advanced simulation and clinical learning environments that mirror real-world patient care while creating new opportunities for interprofessional education across nursing, social work, behavioral health and future health programs. When students train together, they gain a deeper understanding of each other’s roles and how to communicate effectively — ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.”
“At Stan State, we are committed to advancing Interprofessional Education (IPE) among our HHS programs, which will help us build and retain a strong provider workforce across HHS disciplines, ensuring the best care possible for the Central Valley,” affirmed President Rios-Ellis.
