FLORIDA — February 20, 2026 — As the nation observes National Caregiver Day on February 20, Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD) announced a major statewide milestone today. This innovative nonprofit organization is dedicated to expanding access to the health care workforce through training, job placement, and comprehensive support, and has supported more than 1,000 Dwyer Scholars through medical training programs in Florida.
This accomplishment highlights the critical role caregivers play in Florida’s health care system and the importance of investing in the people who provide hands-on care to patients, families, and communities every day. This milestone reflects a little more than two years of collaboration between DWD and a growing network of education, workforce, and employer partners working to strengthen the state’s health talent pipeline.
Since launching in Florida in late 2023, DWD has partnered with organizations including CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, CareerSource Brevard Flager Volusia, Miami Dade College, Sharon Nursing Academy, Lutheran Services of Florida, and numerous other community-based organizations. These partnerships have opened the door for aspiring caregivers, especially those who face financial, career preparation, or logistical barriers, to enter and advance in health care careers.
“On National Caregivers Day, we are proud to not only celebrate this milestone, but also the caregivers behind it,” said Barb Clapp, CEO of Dwyer Workforce Development. “Serving 1,000 scholars in Florida is proof of what is possible when communities come together and invest in people who care about others. Each scholar represents a health system where lives are changed, families are supported, and health care systems are strengthened by compassion, skill, and dedication.”
One of those caregivers, Joanna Galindo, completed her CNA training in Sarasota and now works at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
“Becoming a Dwyer Scholar has changed my life,” said Joanna Galindo, CNA at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Dwyer Scholar. “I went from working in a waiting room to a job I love. The support I received, from the training I received to helping with transportation and utilities, gave me the stability to succeed. I’m proud to be part of a program that believes in caregivers and invests deeply in their futures.”
Over the past several years, Dwyer Scholars across Florida have benefited from tuition assistance, person-centered case management, and continuing professional development toward advanced nursing certification. Partner institutions report high completion rates, strong employment outcomes, and growing interest from Floridians seeking stable, purpose-driven careers in the health care field.
Marcy Murphy, Executive Director of CareeSource Brevard FlagerVolusia, said, “We chose to partner with Dwyer because Dwyer’s holistic and individualized approach leads to high certification and employment rates for our CNA scholars, helping them overcome challenges and build successful medical careers. This true support is what makes Dwyer stand out and is the reason for the growth of our CNA students.”
From 2024 onwards, DWD and its partners will:
• Supported more than 1,000 scholars across the state through medical training programs.
• Established Florida’s first hybrid Spanish-language CNA pathway.
• Achieved very high completion and employment rates
• Supports career advancement from CNA role to LPN or other clinical track
• Strengthening local talent pipelines in regions facing severe labor shortages.
These efforts contribute to increased workforce stability, increased pay for CNAs, expanded access to the in-demand healthcare career ladder, and ensure caregivers are supported as they care for other caregivers.
“As we honor caregivers across the country and look to our next 1,000 scholars, we remain committed to breaking down barriers and empowering people to build meaningful careers in health care,” Clapp added. “This milestone is just the beginning.”
For more information, please visit www.dwyerworkforcedev.org.
About Dwyer’s human resources development
Dwyer Workforce Development is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive support to underprivileged individuals who wish to pursue careers in the healthcare industry, alleviate the critical healthcare workforce shortage, and improve the lives of older adults and the community at large. Dwyer Workforce Development provides program participants (Dwyer Scholars) with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, healthcare facility placement assistance, need-based wraparound services, and person-centered case management to promote successful outcomes.
Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Jack Dwyer and his family, DWD is redefining what it means to make a contribution: creating career paths, empowering health workers and improving patient outcomes. Under the leadership of CEO Barb Clapp, handpicked by Mr. Dwyer for her visionary leadership and commitment to equity, the organization has rapidly grown from its headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, and expanded to a national reach that includes Maryland, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
For more information, please visit www.dwyerworkforcedev.org. Also, follow DWD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up to date.
