The UNAP/Rhode Island Hospital Health Care Education Trust, in partnership with Bank of America, recently presented a $10,000 grant to the Rhode Island Hospital School of Diagnostic Imaging aimed addressing staffing shortages in the field.

The grant will provide stipends to incumbent Rhode Island Hospital employees for the “Stepping Up” program, a partnership between the trust and Women & Infants Hospital.

“The inspiration for the UNAP/Rhode Island Hospital Health Care Education Trust was to create a way to address the staffing shortages in nursing and diagnostic imaging careers,” said Linda McDonald, president of UNAP.

Ellen Alexandre, program director for the Radiologic Technology Program of the School of Diagnostic Imaging, said that she hopes the grant will encourage current Rhode Island Hospital employees. “As the field of diagnostic imaging grows, there is an ever-increasing demand for radiologic technologists, and the career prospects are very strong,” she said.

The program will offer hospital employees academic and career counseling to help them successfully complete their education and move into high-growth, high-demand occupations. •