ALBANY, NY (WENY)--A $22.5 million award GOING TO 13 HOSPITALS AND 15 NURSING HOMES AIMS TO STEADY THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE PIPELINE AT A TIME WHEN IT FACES SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGES. 

“I do believe this will help onboard or attract individuals to go into healthcare whether it's a CNA, whether it's a nurse, whatever it may be,” said Assembly Member John McDonald (D-Assembly District 108).

TRAINING FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS CAN RANGE FROM SPECIFIC SKILLS FOR HANDLING PATIENTS WITH DIABETES, WOUNDS OR INCONTINENCE ISSUES - TO SIMPLY COMMUNICATING WITH PATIENTS.  
 
MCDONALD SAid PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED STAFF IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE NEW YORKERS WITH ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE.
 
AND HE’S HOPING THE SEE THIS INVESTMENT REDUCE THE NUMBER OF STAFFING vacancies FOR CARE FACILITIES.
 
“For upstate hospitals and nursing homes it's critical for their future viability to stay open—that we have a professionally trained workforce,” he said. 
 
MCDONALD SAID THE STATE FUNDING COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE—ARGUING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE COULD IMPROVE THROUGH THESE TRAININGS— ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW MUCH HEALTHCARE STAFF INTERACT WITH PATIENTS.  
 
“You know, healthcare is personal, and I’ve always said this, a lot of individuals are charged with the responsibility of literally putting their hands on someone else’s body. That’s personal, it needs to be done right, it needs to be safely, and it needs to be done respectfully,” he said. 
 
THE 28 HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WILL receive THE $22.5 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING DURING THE NEXT YEAR.