Inova's Military to Medicine Program Expanding Nationwide

Program Offers Job Training, Advancement to Military Families

FALLS CHURCH, Va., April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Inova Health System's Military to Medicine program is hosting a national launch event on Tuesday, April 20, at the National Press Club to announce the program will be providing healthcare training and career opportunities to military families across the country.  Military to Medicine began as a recruitment initiative in partnership with the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Office and the Department of Defense in 2008. Now, the program is extending its services nationwide to more fully support the nation's military families while also addressing the national healthcare workforce shortage.

"We're honored to offer healthcare training and career opportunities nationwide to the extended military family, including military spouses, wounded warriors and other service members transitioning to civilian employment," said Daniel Nichols, Executive Director, Military to Medicine, Inova Health System. "There are more than 650,000 military spouses stationed in the U.S. Nearly 80 percent of these spouses want a career, but frequent relocations make this difficult. We're here to make sure they have the training and skills necessary for portable careers in healthcare."

In its first year, Military to Medicine served 1,200 members of the extended military family. The numbers are expected to jump to 3,200 in 2010, and expansion plans could provide services to as many as 30,000 in coming years.

For the live Web cast of the event, visit www.militarytomedicine.org and register.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova's mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.

Che Parker, 703-645-2747

SOURCE Inova Health System