Workforce Development
Empowering vitality through workforce development
A strong workforce builds a strong community.
As a leading employer in the region, we take pride in contributing to the strength and vibrancy of our community. We are committed to offering career pathways that reflect the diverse experiences, passions and skills of our workforce.
With your support, we are leading the way in building a stronger, healthier community through workforce development initiatives that inspire early interest, create a diverse pipeline of talent, and build a vibrant community of skilled, valued team members who make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Below are some examples of our efforts with our nursing programs.
Elevating nursing through giving
In 2024, Inova’s donors and community partners continued to demonstrate their unwavering support for our nurses—the backbone of care at Inova— by contributing to their education, training and clinical development. We are deeply grateful for the trust our community places in Inova’s team of over 8,000 nurses.
Here are some of the meaningful ways our community supported Inova nurses in 2024:
to support nurses
to support nurses
nurses received professional development funding for conferences, continuing education, certifications and more.
nurses received professional development funding for conferences, continuing education, certifications and more.
Donor Spotlight: The David and Marilyn Karlgaard Nursing Scholarship Endowment
The David and Marilyn Karlgaard Nursing Scholarship Endowment continues to make a significant impact on the lives of Inova nurses. Thanks to the Karlgaard Endowment, we provide opportunities for nurses to further their education, advance their skills and deliver exceptional care to patients. The Karlgaard’s continued generosity allows us to expand the reach of the scholarship each year, empowering more nurses to achieve their professional goals and uphold the highest standards of excellence in nursing and patient care.
The David and Marilyn Karlgaard Nursing Scholarship Endowment continues to make a significant impact on the lives of Inova nurses. Thanks to the Karlgaard Endowment, we provide opportunities for nurses to further their education, advance their skills and deliver exceptional care to patients. The Karlgaard’s continued generosity allows us to expand the reach of the scholarship each year, empowering more nurses to achieve their professional goals and uphold the highest standards of excellence in nursing and patient care.
Donor Spotlight: The Natalie and Wesley Bush Nursing Scholarship
The Natalie and Wesley Bush Nursing Scholarship fulfills essential needs in furthering the education of Inova nurses like Gwen Oliphant, RNC-OB, C-EFM, one of three recipients for the 2024 scholarship awards.
“Birth can be long and slow, or fast and intense; hard but joyful, or scary and traumatic. Often it is a combination of all of these. As an Inova nurse it is my goal to build and nurture that relationship of trust every time, every touch.” - Gwen Oliphant, RNC-OB, C-EFM Labor and Delivery, Inova Fairfax Medical Center
Gwen’s supervisors describe her as a generous and thoughtful team member who is an advocate for her patients and ensures they receive safe, individualized care. Gwen is highly collaborative with all her teams and is always focused, professional and solutions oriented. Gwen used the scholarship to earn her MS in Nursing from George Washington University, where she graduated in May of 2025. She will start as a women's health nurse practitioner for Inova OBGYN this upcoming Fall.
See more ways Inova is supporting community workforce development.
The Natalie and Wesley Bush Nursing Scholarship fulfills essential needs in furthering the education of Inova nurses like Gwen Oliphant, RNC-OB, C-EFM, one of three recipients for the 2024 scholarship awards.
“Birth can be long and slow, or fast and intense; hard but joyful, or scary and traumatic. Often it is a combination of all of these. As an Inova nurse it is my goal to build and nurture that relationship of trust every time, every touch.” - Gwen Oliphant, RNC-OB, C-EFM Labor and Delivery, Inova Fairfax Medical Center
Gwen’s supervisors describe her as a generous and thoughtful team member who is an advocate for her patients and ensures they receive safe, individualized care. Gwen is highly collaborative with all her teams and is always focused, professional and solutions oriented. Gwen used the scholarship to earn her MS in Nursing from George Washington University, where she graduated in May of 2025. She will start as a women's health nurse practitioner for Inova OBGYN this upcoming Fall.
See more ways Inova is supporting community workforce development.
Together, thanks to your generosity and trust in Inova, we are addressing our community’s greatest needs by supporting team members and workforce development. You are helping fill critical workforce gaps in healthcare by supporting essential needs and empowering our team members.
