The path to solving Florida’s healthcare workforce shortage begins long before students earn a degree, it begins in high school. Through a partnership between the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, the Healthcare Career Explore & Excel Program is equipping students statewide with the training, certifications, and confidence to pursue meaningful healthcare careers.
Florida’s healthcare sector faces one of the most critical workforce shortages in the nation, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The Healthcare Career Explore & Excel Program was designed to ensure high school students, no matter where they live, can access quality instruction, hands-on learning, and industry-recognized credentials that open doors to rewarding careers.
Eight local education foundations were selected for the program, each receiving $33,750 in the first year to create or expand healthcare academies aligned with community needs. Together, these foundations reached more than 3,100 students, with an average of 76% reporting an increased interest in healthcare careers.
In Polk County, students participated in a mock mass-casualty simulation hosted by AdventHealth, resulting in a 43% increase in credentials earned. Lake County invested in high-tech Juno Nursing Skills Manikins that boosted enrollment 16 to 20 percent across its schools and strengthened certification preparation for CNA, PCT, and EKG credentials.
Santa Rosa County saw a 42 percent increase in credential completion, with an 88% pass rate on new CEHRS and CCMA certifications. Active participation in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) helped students stay engaged and connected to their career goals. In Brevard County, every student in the Sports Medicine Academy received professional scrubs, fostering pride and professionalism, while new internship opportunities deepened real-world learning.
Volusia County’s Taylor High School formed a student and community advisory board to strengthen academic progress and career readiness. Foundations in Holmes, Lee, and Okaloosa counties laid the groundwork for expanded student engagement and credentialing in Year 2.
The first year of the Healthcare Career Explore & Excel Program demonstrates the power of partnership and purpose. By investing in local foundations that prepare students for high-demand healthcare roles, the Consortium and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation are helping ensure Florida’s students, and its communities, thrive.
