U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick visited WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital on Friday, June 26, 2026, joining a roundtable discussion focused on healthcare staffing shortages and how to build a stronger workforce across the industry. Much of the conversation centered on Scholars Network, the program that matches students pursuing medical careers with employers who agree to hire graduates and make monthly loan payments on their behalf.
Since launching, Scholars Network has helped more than 200 students, primarily from Pennsylvania colleges — though demand far outpaces supply, with roughly ten times as many students seeking positions as there are slots available. Pennsylvania's funding pool for the program has reached $50 million, with participating employers contributing the majority.
"A light in my tunnel."
Lesley Espinosa-Bernal, Registered Nurse, WellSpan Health, on being able to focus on her nursing education without worrying about loans
WellSpan leaders described the pipeline as essential to staffing amid Pennsylvania's aging population, and program founder Sam Maron framed Scholars Network as a way to lower the financial barriers to entering healthcare careers. McCormick pledged to advocate for federal support of similar programs in Washington.