The UnityPoint Health – Meriter Jeff Levy Education Center officially opened in Spring 2023 to house a nursing education program, and community health education classes. 
 
All the programs are designed to diversify the state’s health care workforce. We work to develop future generations of health care professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and lived experiences, thus building a workforce that is best equipped to advocate for all patients and address health inequities. Through partnerships with the Black Men’s Coalition, Urban League and local nursing schools we’re able to provide training and career advancement in Environmental Services, Phlebotomy, Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant roles. 
 
The education center will also aid in accelerating new team members to the patient bedside. The center houses Meriter’s new team member onboarding process, including orientation, badging and Employee Health Services in one location, to streamline the onboarding process and get newly hired or licensed caregivers on the floor faster. 
 
By increasing access to health care education and training we will boost the number of individuals pursuing—and advancing in—the field of health care. Workforce sustainability is crucial to positive patient outcomes. We will advance and cultivate our own, ensuring every patient is treated by skilled, tenured caregivers. Through the Jeff Levy Education Center, we will work to provide health care career and advancement opportunities to entry-level employees through Pathways Program enrollment (strongly encouraged for team members from historically marginalized communities) and scholarships; Improve advancement and leadership opportunities within nursing, particularly among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) team members, through scholarships, loan forgiveness, paid support for advanced nursing certification through preparatory courses and more.