Novant Health
Upward Mobility Education Award Program
Novant Health believes in investing in its most important asset: its people. In 2018, the Charlotte-based healthcare system started the Upward Mobility Education Award program, offering a pathway for staff members to continue their healthcare education.
The program helps employees with an interest in becoming a registered nurse advance their careers while also addressing critical staffing needs. Through the program, awardees receive two years of paid tuition, books, fees, and supplies, and 12 hours a week of paid administrative leave to attend classes and complete coursework. In addition, participants are assigned a mentor, have access to financial literacy workshops, and are guaranteed acceptance into a nurse residency program.
“Novant Health’s Upward Mobility Educational Assistance Award program is not just an investment in our team members’ future, but in the future of healthcare,” says Ann Caulkins, senior vice president of Novant Health and president of the Novant Health Foundation. “By providing opportunities for our team members through Novant Health foundations to advance their education and careers, we are building a stronger, more skilled workforce that is better equipped to provide exceptional care to our patients and communities.”
Leaders from TowneBank and Novant Health tour the Ballantyne Medical Center construction site, which opened in June. From left to right: Michelle Spreitzer, Philanthropy Manager at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation, Bob Aston, Ted Wolfe, Ben Brodersen, President, Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center, Ben Mears, Shawn P. Quillin, M.D., Mecklenburg Radiology Associates, and Katie Boylan, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation.
To date, 65 staff members have benefitted from the program. Program participants agree that Upward Mobility has improved their optimism about their financial and professional advancement ability. Upward Mobility provides the resources, flexibility, and support that our team members need to reach graduation. Nataysha, an Upward Mobility participant, shared: “The program gave me the opportunity to achieve a goal that seemed impossible to reach as a single parent. It allowed me to create a work schedule that accommodated my classes and studying, as well as resources and connections that streamlined my path to graduation.” Nataysha graduated in December and is completing her residency through Novant Health’s Charlotte Oncology Department.
Novant Health will open the Ballantyne Medical Center in south Charlotte this summer. The 38-acre medical campus has 48 beds in a state-of-the-art facility poised to accommodate the rapid growth of the Ballantyne community. The center improves geographic access to health services by decreasing the drive time to receive acute and ambulatory services. As a local, community-focused health center, the Ballantyne location will help Novant better connect with residents of southern Mecklenburg County.
In 2023, the TowneBank Foundation awarded a multi-year grant to support the Upward Mobility Education Award program for staff members at the new Ballantyne location. “We applaud Novant Health for its commitment to invest in its staff and to improve the health of communities across greater Charlotte,” says Ben Mears, Ballantyne Market Executive. “We are especially excited about the availability and access to care offered at the new Ballantyne Medical Center.” Ben Brodersen, president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center continues, “At a time of ever-increasing nursing shortages, TowneBank’s generosity allows us to invest in our most important asset: our people. So many individuals with a desire to continue their education and improve their financial health simply do not have the resources to do so. Thank you for being our partner in allowing these goals to become a reality.”
Learn more about Novant Health at NovantHealth.org.