Community leaders unite to create a new pathway for aspiring nurses, made possible by the mission-driven support of the Bedford Falls Foundation

September 20, 2025 – Trinity Washington University

Trinity Washington University hosted the inaugural event for the Bedford Falls Pathway Pilot Program on Saturday, September 20, bringing together representatives from eight organizations committed to transforming nursing education in Washington, D.C. Trinity is  the first educational partner in this pioneering collaboration designed to create long-term, sustainable workforce development through investment in local organizations already serving vulnerable populations.

Made possible by a grant from the Bedford Falls Foundation, participating students in Trinity’s Nursing Program have 100% of their tuition paid for, as well as costs for books, nursing uniforms, and other educational expenses.

With wrap around supports, scholarship, and on the job training from local partners, this multi-year grant was developed in partnership with Capital Area Food Bank, Catholic Charities – DC, Children’s National Hospital, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Trinity Washington University, and Unity Health Care. The pilot also includes research conducted by NORC of the University of Chicago.

Kelly Brady Smith, Director of Partnership and Innovation at Bedford Falls Foundation, emphasized the power of collaboration: “The really exciting part is all of these different entities coming together. That’s the part that has been profoundly different about this experience and people really working so hard to all be contributing members to a greater good.”

Bill Conway, who co-founded the Bedford Falls Foundation with his late wife Joanne Barkett Conway, highlighted the partnership’s significance: “The partnership and collaboration on this initiative with our established partners is deeply meaningful to our Foundation. Supporting pathways for individuals to become registered nurses and advancing the broader health and human services helps build a stronger community and healthier future for all of us.”

Student-Centered Approach

Trinity nursing students in the Bedford Falls Pathway Pilot Program receive paid positions at Unity Healthcare or Children’s National Hospital, earning compensation both for work hours and time spent in educational activities. The program also provides comprehensive support including dedicated social workers, food assistance, childcare support, and academic mentoring.

“The idea is to create wraparound services to get people at entry level all the way through the nursing program,” explained Dr. Carrie O’Reilly, Program Director and Chief Nursing Officer at Trinity’s School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Smith reflected on the inaugural event’s purpose: “My hope for this event is to show our nurses in training how many people are cheering them on, and how many people are here just hoping that they’re successful and get to make this next step into the next stage of a profession that’s so needed.”

Building on Success

Trinity Washington University’s School of Nursing and Health Professions has built a reputation for personalized education with small class sizes, experienced faculty mentors, and strong partnerships with premier healthcare organizations throughout the region. The nursing program in particular has earned recognition for its commitment to student success, with students consistently passing their NCLEX nursing licensure exam on the first try at a rate above the national average. The university’s partnerships with major healthcare systems, including those in this pilot program, create direct pathways from education to employment.

The Bedford Falls Foundation supports 45 nursing schools nationwide through its mission to remove barriers to nursing education and address workforce shortages, “But Trinity’s commitment to student access and success is special, even within a portfolio of 45 nursing schools,” Smith noted. “Trinity Shines.”

Looking Forward

The Bedford Falls Pathway Pilot Program represents a new model for nursing education that addresses the complex realities facing today’s students while building a stronger healthcare workforce. Through this comprehensive approach, this initiative demonstrates how community collaboration can create transformative opportunities for individuals while addressing critical healthcare needs.

The October 20 event marked the beginning of what organizers hope will become a replicable model for nursing education partnerships nationwide, showing how strategic collaboration between educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations can create sustainable pathways to healthcare careers.