Florida — February 20, 2026 — As the nation recognizes National Caregivers Day on February 20, Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD), today announced a major statewide milestone: the innovative nonprofit, dedicated to expanding access to healthcare careers through training, job placement, and wraparound support, has supported more than 1,000 Dwyer Scholars through healthcare training programs in Florida.
This achievement underscores the vital role caregivers play in Florida’s healthcare system, and the importance of investing in the people who provide hands‑on care for patients, families, and communities every day. The milestone reflects a little over two years of collaboration between DWD, and a growing network of education, workforce, and employer partners committed to strengthening the state’s healthcare 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, Sharron Nursing Academy, Lutheran Services of Florida, andnumerous other community‑based organizations. Together, these partnerships have opened doors for aspiring caregivers—particularly individuals facing financial, career-readiness, or logistical barriers—to enter and advance in healthcare careers.
“On National Caregivers Day, we are proud to celebrate not only this milestone, but the caregivers behind it,” said Barb Clapp, CEO of Dwyer Workforce Development. “Serving 1,000 Scholars in Florida is a testament to what’s possible when communities come together to invest in people who care for others. Every Scholar represents a life changed, a family supported, and a healthcare system made stronger through compassion, skill, and dedication.”
One of those caregivers is Joana Galindo, who completed her CNA training in Sarasota and now works at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
“Becoming a Dwyer Scholar changed my life,” said Joana Galindo, CNA at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Dwyer Scholar. “I went from waiting tables to working in a career I love. The support I received—from training to help 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 ongoing professional development toward advanced nursing credentials. Partner institutions report higher completion rates, stronger job placement outcomes, and growing interest from Floridians seeking stable, purpose‑driven careers in healthcare.
“We chose to partner with Dwyer because their holistic and individualized approach led to high certification and job placement rates for CNA Scholars, helping them overcome challenges and launch successful healthcare careers,” Marci Murphy, Executive Director of CareeSource Brevard FlagerVolusia “It’s this genuine support that makes Dwyer stand out, and it’s why our CNA students have thrived.”
Since 2024, DWD and its partners have:
• Supported more than 1,000 Scholars statewide through healthcare training programs.
• Established Florida’s first hybrid Spanish‑language CNA pathway
• Achieved exceptionally high completion and job placement rates
• Supported career advancement from CNA roles to LPN and other clinical tracks
• Strengthened local talent pipelines in regions facing critical workforce shortages
These efforts have contributed to improved workforce stability, increased wages for CNAs, and expanded access to high‑demand healthcare career ladders—ensuring caregivers are supported as they care for others.
“As we honor caregivers across the country and look ahead to the next 1,000 Scholars, we remain committed to breaking down barriers and empowering people to build meaningful careers in healthcare,” Clapp added. “This milestone is only the beginning.”
For more information, visit www.dwyerworkforcedev.org.
About Dwyer Workforce Development
Dwyer Workforce Development is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack opportunity and aspire to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, alleviate a severe healthcare workforce shortage, and improve the lives of seniors and the community at large. Dwyer Workforce Development provides program participants – Dwyer Scholars – Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, job placement support in healthcare facilities, need-based wraparound services, and person-centered case management to foster successful outcomes.
Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Jack Dwyer and his family, DWD is redefining what it means to give back—creating career pathways, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and improving patient outcomes. Under the leadership of CEO Barb Clapp, handpicked by Dwyer for her visionary leadership and commitment to equity, the organization has grown rapidly from its Baltimore, Maryland headquarters, expanding its national reach to include Maryland, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Learn more at www.dwyerworkforcedev.org, and follow DWD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates.
