CONGRESSMAN BISHOP PRESENTS $1 MILLION CHECK TO ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO HELP ADDRESS NURSING SHORTAGE IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
Image
February 23, 2023
ALBANY, GA– Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) presented a ceremonial check to Albany Technical College representing the $1,000,000 in federal funding that the Congressman secured for the college as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 funding bill. The college will use the funds to recruit individuals into allied health professions with the overall goal of addressing the nursing shortage throughout Southwest Georgia. The college will do this in its service area of Dougherty, Lee, Terrell, Randolph, Clay, Calhoun, and Baker counties.
"These federal funds will help Albany Technical College direct people into much needed and well-paying health care jobs. Public and individual health relies on doctors, nurses, and a wide web of medical professionals working together to care for patients. The recent pandemic only highlighted the many opportunities and great need we have for healthcare workers in Southwest Georgia," said Congressman Bishop. "I am glad that I could support Albany Technical College's effort to meet people in the communities in which they live so that we can train more medical professionals near where they live and where they are most needed."
"Congressman Bishop's support and advocacy for the citizens of Southwest Georgia is unwavering. We are thrilled to receive congressionally directed spending, which will help us further our mission to provide access to quality technical education to all members of our community," stated Dr. Emmett Griswold, President of Albany Technical College. "This funding will enable us to bridge the gap between potential students and post-secondary educational opportunities available in southwest Georgia, while providing much needed support for students, their families, and the healthcare industry in economically distressed communities. We are proud to be able to use this funding to equip students with the skills and credentials needed to secure gainful employment and become self-sustaining citizens."
The funds will be used for community outreach by purchasing a recruitment vehicle and staffing the unit to travel within Albany Technical College's seven-county service delivery area and recruit potential students for allied health programs such as Medical Assisting, Nursing, Nurse Aide, Practical Nursing and Phlebotomy.
The staff for the mobile recruitment unit will be responsible for assisting potential students with the processes of completing applications for admission purposes, securing financial aid, admission testing requirements, registration, and overcoming other barriers that students may encounter during initial or re-admission into post-secondary education.
Congressman Bishop is a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and leader on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal discretionary spending. In addition to directing overall funding levels for federal departments, agencies, and programs – many of which operate or fund projects at the state and local level in Georgia and across the country – the Congressman was able to secure over $25 million in direct funding for several important projects in Middle and Southwest Georgia.
In the past three weeks, Congressman Bishop has presented funds to the cities of Colquitt, Donalsonville, and Bainbridge as well as the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council in Dawson, the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Inc., and the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission in Camilla.
Earlier this week, he presented funds to the Southwest Campus of the Medical College of Georgia in Albany (to help provide more physicians and medical professionals in rural and underserved areas). Today, he has also presented funds to the Southwest Georgia Children's Alliance, Inc. (for its child abuse treatment and prevention programs), the City of Leesburg (for a water pump installation clean water project), and Mount Olive Community Outreach Center, Inc. (to replace housing lost to Hurricane Michael and recent tornadoes).
###
PHOTO: Congressman Bishop presents a ceremonial "big check" in Albany, GA, to Albany Technical College President Dr. Emmett Griswold which represents the $1,000,000 the Congressman secured in federal funds for the college to help it address the nursing shortage in Southwest Georgia.