WVU Medicine and Berkeley County Schools Partner to Support Workforce Growth and Expand Access to Nursing Education 

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – As the Eastern Panhandle continues to grow, so does the need for a strong, sustainable health care workforce. To meet that need, WVU Medicine and Berkeley County Schools (BCS) have entered into a partnership that will allow the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education to be housed within the same facility as the district’s planned Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Martinsburg, pending voter approval of the May 12, 2026, bond call. 

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting population growth, expanding access to education, and preparing residents for meaningful careers that strengthen the entire region. While the Center for Nursing Education is a WVU Medicine program designed for students after high school, and operates independently from the BCS CTE curriculum, co-locating these programs creates an education hub that inspires interest early and provides clear pathways into health care careers. 

“Our community is growing, and that growth brings opportunity, but also responsibility,” said Mark O’Hern, regional president, WVU Hospitals East, and president and CEO of WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. “We need to ensure we have enough skilled caregivers to support a larger, more complex population, not just today but well into the future. This partnership helps us do that by investing locally and developing the workforce our region needs.” 

“This partnership with WVU Medicine represents the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that benefits our students and our community,” said Superintendent Ryan Saxe. “Co-locating these programs allows students to see what is possible, from early career exploration to advanced education, while reinforcing the importance of preparing a strong, local workforce.” 

Growing Our Own Workforce 

Like health systems across the country, WVU Medicine continues to experience strong demand for nurses, particularly at the bedside. While nurse turnover and vacancy rates have improved steadily in recent years, growth in patient volume, expanded services, and future facilities mean the need for nurses will continue. 

“Our goal is not to pull nurses away from neighboring hospitals or communities,” O’Hern said. “We want to grow the workforce across the entire Eastern Panhandle. That means creating more opportunities for local residents to pursue nursing, supporting multiple education partners, and ensuring there are enough caregivers to meet everyone’s needs.” 

WVU Medicine already partners closely with Shepherd University and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, both of which offer outstanding nursing programs and continue to supply a significant number of new graduate nurses to the region. The health system also supports MedEd programs and CTE initiatives that introduce students to health careers early, helping them envision a future in care, service, and leadership. 

“Those partnerships are strong, and they will continue,” said O’Hern. “Even with those fantastic programs, we still see a growing need for more health care workers. This is about expanding the pipeline, not replacing it.” 

Expanding the Center for Nursing Education 

The Martinsburg location will house the expanding WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education, a post–high school registered nursing program that offers a tuition-free diploma in exchange for a work commitment with WVU Medicine following graduation. Anyone who meets admission requirements may apply when admissions open in August 2026 for August 2027 enrollment. 

The 21-month program is modeled after the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education in Morgantown, which has successfully increased access to nursing education while strengthening the workforce in North Central West Virginia. That experience demonstrated the power of removing barriers to hands-on training and strong employment pathways. 

“Providing full tuition and fee waivers for a high-quality nursing education makes the ultimate difference for many students,” said Tanya Rogers, Ed.D., M.S.N., R.N., C.N.E., assistant vice president of nursing education at the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education. “It allows people who are passionate about caring for others to pursue nursing without taking on significant debt—and it helps communities build the workforce they need.” 

The Center for Nursing Education will occupy approximately 15,000 square feet within the planned CTE facility at 1287 Winchester Ave. in Martinsburg, commonly known as the former Kmart site. WVU Medicine will design and build out the space, including classrooms and advanced simulation labs that reflect modern clinical environments. 

Inspiring Careers, Supporting Community Health 

While the nursing program itself serves students after high school, WVU Medicine sees the co-location as a powerful way to inspire interest in health care careers earlier and show students what is possible. 

“As Berkeley County continues to grow, partnerships like this are essential,” said Superintendent Ryan Saxe. “We appreciate WVU Medicine’s commitment to investing locally and working alongside our school system to support education, workforce development, and the long-term health of our community.” 

“This is a natural extension of how we already partner in the community,” O’Hern said. “From MedEd to CTE to higher education, we believe inspiration starts early—and opportunity needs to be close to home. By working together, we can support growth, strengthen health care, and invest in the people who live here.”