Davenport University announced gifts totaling $210,000 from two foundations committed to the Midland community. The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation are supporting the university’s new Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness initiative, which aims to equip students with cutting-edge tools and technologies that will enhance health care education and directly address workforce shortages in Michigan.

The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation has awarded $110,000, and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation has provided $100,000 to fund this initiative, which will be implemented at Davenport’s Midland campus.

“The Strosacker Foundation is honored to partner with Davenport University to provide students with updated technology needs,” said Kimberlee Baczewski, president & CEO of the Strosacker Foundation. “We hope this helps address workforce needs in our region and enhances health care education.”

Lisa Gerstacker, president and CEO, and Bill Schuette, executive vice president and assistant treasurer, stated, “The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation is a big believer in Davenport University.  We value Davenport’s presence at its Midland campus and facilities throughout Michigan. We are delighted to partner with the Strosacker Foundation in investing in new technology for students engaging in health care and science.”

By integrating advanced technologies into the College of Health Professions (CoHP) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Davenport is taking bold steps to prepare the next generation of health care professionals to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.

“We are benefiting from the commitment and generosity of the Strosacker Foundation and the Gerstacker Foundation,” said Davenport University President Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. “These grants will not only advance the educational experiences of our students, but they will also have a lasting impact on the community in the Great Lakes Bay region and beyond. We look forward to seeing the positive results of these gifts and this initiative for years to come.”

Michigan’s health care system faces significant workforce challenges, including shortages in primary care and critical health care roles. According to recent data from the Center for Health and Research Transformation, 65 counties in the state are currently experiencing primary care deficits. Positions for registered nurses and medical assistants are projected to have 6,000-12,000 openings each year through 2030. These shortages are exacerbated by aging workers, burnout, and increasing demand for health care services, particularly in rural areas like Midland County, which has been designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area by Rural Health Information Hub. 

Davenport University’s Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness project is designed to address these critical issues by integrating state-of-the-art technologies into its educational programs, benefiting students who are the future of health care providers.

“We are deeply grateful for these incredible gifts, which empower our students with cutting-edge tools to bridge theory and practice in health care education,” said Amy Stahley, dean of Davenport’s College of Health Professions. “The Anatomage Table, Virtual Science Experiments, and electronic health record simulation technologies set Davenport University apart, providing immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare our graduates to excel in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.”

These technologies at Davenport will not only strengthen student learning but also prepare graduates to meet the region’s health care workforce demands.

• Anatomage Table: This advanced tool offers lifelike, detailed images of human anatomy, allowing students to explore body structures and real medical cases in 3D, enhancing their understanding of human biology and clinical scenarios.

• Med Cart EHR Workstation: Simulating a hospital environment, this workstation enables students to practice patient care, use Electronic Health Records (EHR), and learn medication dispensing and administration, vital skills for reducing medication errors in healthcare settings.

• Simulation Medication Dispenser: This tool helps students practice accurate medication dispensing and administration, a critical skill that directly impacts patient safety.