Expansion will prepare students for healthcare careers and help working professionals advance their skills close to home, while strengthening the area’s healthcare systems.
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is receiving over $5 million in federal funding to double the size of its Radiography program and introduce Advanced Technical Certificates in computed tomography (CT) and mammography through its participation in FORGE, the Florida Oncology and Radiopharmaceutical Growth Engine.
PHSC’s project, IMPACT—Imaging Modality Pathways for Advanced Clinical Technologists—will expand access to medical imaging education and help prepare the workforce needed by healthcare providers in Pasco and Hernando counties and throughout the Tampa Bay region.
“As healthcare grows in our region, we want local residents to have a direct path to the careers that this growth creates,” said Eric Hall, Ed.D., president of Pasco-Hernando State College. “Through IMPACT, we will prepare more students to enter the imaging field and give working professionals new opportunities to advance their skills in CT and mammography. For PHSC, this is about helping our students build their futures here and ensuring our healthcare partners have the skilled professionals they need to care for our community.”
By implementing IMPACT, PHSC plans to support faculty, acquire instructional equipment, develop curriculum and expand clinical training partnerships. This expansion aligns with the growth occurring at Speros, Moffitt Cancer Center’s campus in Pasco County and a driving force behind FORGE. PHSC will help prepare the imaging workforce needed to support this growth while also serving other healthcare providers throughout the region.
The new certificates will also give imaging professionals opportunities to pursue specialized training in CT and mammography. For local residents, the expansion will create additional pathways to enter healthcare careers or advance professionally while remaining close to home.
“PHSC is building a healthcare workforce engine for our region. With the FORGE grant and our healthcare partners, we will train more imaging professionals for high-wage careers and help local employers meet the growing demand for patient care,” said Prashanth Pilly, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer of PHSC.
Photo: PHSC Board of Trustees with Dr. Eric Hall and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Paul M. Dabbar (PHSC Board of Trustees FORGE.jpg)
About Pasco-Hernando State College
Pasco-Hernando State College serves Pasco and Hernando counties by providing accessible, affordable, high-quality education and workforce training. Through academic programs, career and technical education, and partnerships with regional employers, PHSC prepares students for successful careers, continued education and lifelong learning.