The Olympic Medical Center Foundation announced in early June that it has created a $400,000 scholarship program to help increase the number of healthcare workers in Clallam County, and to allow current OMC employees to further their education.

OMC Executive Director Bruce Skinner made the announcement at the Hospital Commissioners meeting on June 7.

“One of the biggest obstacles that current employees, adults who want to change careers, and students face when they want to enter or advance in the healthcare field is the cost,” said Skinner. “We want to take that out of the equation, as we plan on these being significant awards.”

Hospital CEO Darryl Wofle noted, “We are extremely appreciative of this gift. Growing the workforce is one of the the most significant challenges facing the healthcare industry and OMC today. By offering scholarships, we feel that we’ll be able to increase the potential employee pool that OMC can draw from. It will also help the rest of the industry in the County.”

It is anticipated that half of the funds will go to employees seeking continued education in health care, OMC Foundation representatives said, while the other half will go to area students who want to take medical courses at Peninsula College.

Skinner said that the foundation plans to continue this program in the years to come. “Every industry has labor shortages, and the healthcare industry is no exception,” he said.

Those interested in more information or in making a donation are urged to call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or email to bruce@omhf.org. They can also mail donations to: OMC Foundation, 1015 Georgiana St., Port Angeles, 98362.

“We hope that many local people will become a part of our fundraising efforts,” Skinner said.