Eastern, NC [September 9,2025] – NC East Alliance, in collaboration with College of the Albemarle (COA), seven county school districts, and regional healthcare partners, announces the launch of the Health Science Technical Academy (HSTA) at College of the Albemarle. This planning grant initiative, supported by Camber Foundation, is focused on transforming the healthcare workforce pipeline across seven rural counties in northeastern North Carolina.
“This initiative is about more than filling jobs, it’s about building futures and strengthening communities,” said Vann Rogerson, CEO, NC East Alliance, “we’re laying the groundwork for a healthcare workforce that reflects and serves our region.”
The COA region, which includes Chowan, Camden, Dare, Currituck, Gates, Perquimans, and Pasquotank Counties, faces significant healthcare workforce challenges. The region experiences an 88% RN churn rate, the highest in North Carolina, with nurse-to-population ratios ranging from 21.3 to 25.4 per 10,000 residents, only one-fourth of the state average. Community college attrition in health sciences programs stands at 44%, with just 56 out of 100 students completing their studies. Although four-year graduates achieve an 86% graduation rate, many leave rural areas within two years. By 2033, nearly 20% of RNs in several counties will reach retirement age.
The HSTA initiative is designed to build a sustainable, locally rooted healthcare workforce by engaging students from middle school through postsecondary training. The projected reach of the program is 6,000 students.
With support from Camber Foundation, the planning phase will include several key activities. The team will host Lunch and Learn sessions with healthcare leaders and educators. Curriculum development sessions will be held to co-design three full-day summer camps at COA campuses in Manteo, Elizabeth City, and Edenton. Partnerships and cohort selection processes will be finalized, with a focus on the 8th-to-9th grade transition. A scoring rubric will be created for student applications. Finally, regional planning efforts will be coordinated.
“We recognize the critical need to grow the healthcare workforce in Eastern North Carolina, and our commitments to supporting workforce development and access to healthcare drive our interest in seeing this program get up and running,” said Leslie Ann Jackson, Camber Foundation’s president and CEO. “By engaging local students early and supporting them every step of the way, this program has the potential to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals, who will be deeply connected to the communities they serve.”