UnityPoint Health Affiliates Receive Grants for Career Pathways Programs
Jun 24, 2025
Three UnityPoint Health affiliates have been awarded healthcare grants from the State of Iowa to help support work-based learning programs.
UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital (Waterloo) and UnityPoint Clinic each received $250,000, and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital (Cedar Rapids) received $200,593 through the Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant. The grant program is part of a $2.94 million initiative to expand Iowa’s healthcare workforce through earn-and-learn programs that combine education with on-the-job training.
UnityPoint Health will use the grant proceeds to expand its successful Career Pathways programs for Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) at Allen Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital and UnityPoint Clinic.
“Many participants in our Career Pathways programs are individuals who have faced barriers in achieving their clinical certifications or licensure, so achieving these milestones often creates generational change for the participants and their families,” said Kurt Olson, vice president of talent and culture.
Career Pathways at UnityPoint Health are training programs for high-demand healthcare roles. Each program provides UnityPoint Health team members a combination of higher education curriculum, in-house clinical experience, laboratory experience, clinical precepting support, and guidance from our unique career navigator roles. Participants need to meet eligibility criteria to be considered for a program. If selected, participants are provided compensation for time spent on program requirements and provided benefits while completing their education.
In addition to Allen Hospital, UnityPoint Clinic and St. Luke’s Hospital – Cedar Rapids, UnityPoint Health also offers Career Pathway programs at affiliates in Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Sioux City, Quad Cities, and UnityPoint Health – Meriter Hospital.
For individuals interested in joining the UnityPoint Health team, search for open career opportunities at unitypoint.org/join-our-team.
UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital (Waterloo) and UnityPoint Clinic each received $250,000, and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital (Cedar Rapids) received $200,593 through the Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant. The grant program is part of a $2.94 million initiative to expand Iowa’s healthcare workforce through earn-and-learn programs that combine education with on-the-job training.
UnityPoint Health will use the grant proceeds to expand its successful Career Pathways programs for Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) at Allen Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital and UnityPoint Clinic.
“Many participants in our Career Pathways programs are individuals who have faced barriers in achieving their clinical certifications or licensure, so achieving these milestones often creates generational change for the participants and their families,” said Kurt Olson, vice president of talent and culture.
Career Pathways at UnityPoint Health are training programs for high-demand healthcare roles. Each program provides UnityPoint Health team members a combination of higher education curriculum, in-house clinical experience, laboratory experience, clinical precepting support, and guidance from our unique career navigator roles. Participants need to meet eligibility criteria to be considered for a program. If selected, participants are provided compensation for time spent on program requirements and provided benefits while completing their education.
In addition to Allen Hospital, UnityPoint Clinic and St. Luke’s Hospital – Cedar Rapids, UnityPoint Health also offers Career Pathway programs at affiliates in Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Sioux City, Quad Cities, and UnityPoint Health – Meriter Hospital.
For individuals interested in joining the UnityPoint Health team, search for open career opportunities at unitypoint.org/join-our-team.
