1147: PHIG Impact Report: How South Carolina Is Building a Stronger Workforce

What happens when a health department invests directly in the education and professional growth of its workforce?  Karla Buru, deputy director of health strategy and external affairs and chief of staff for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, discusses the agency’s Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP), an innovative workforce development initiative that helps employees pursue nursing and public health degrees while strengthening the department’s long-term capacity. Since launching as a small pilot in 2022, the program has grown into a major investment in employee development, retention, and leadership.  Buru shares how tuition assistance, leadership training programs, and professional certifications are helping staff advance their careers while bringing new skills and expertise back to the agency. This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE⁠22-2203⁠: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG