Keuka College is joining the push to address New York’s healthcare worker shortage with a bold new offer: free graduate degrees in nursing and social work for students willing to serve underserved communities.
The College has partnered with the Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training Program, a state-backed initiative run by the Iroquois Healthcare Association and funded by the New York State Department of Health. The program fully covers tuition, books, and academic fees for qualified students pursuing Keuka’s Master of Science in Nursing or clinical Master of Social Work.
To receive the award, students must commit to three years of service at a healthcare, behavioral health, or social care provider in New York where at least 30% of patients rely on Medicaid or are uninsured. Degree completion is required by spring 2027, and the service commitment must be fulfilled by 2031.
“This program is an important step toward strengthening our healthcare workforce and expanding access to quality care in the communities that need it most,” said Kevin M. Kerwin, acting president and CEO of the Iroquois Healthcare Association. “We look forward to working with Keuka College to recruit and guide candidates through the Caring Gene’s CPT program.”
Students from 32 upstate counties—including Albany, Clinton, Jefferson, and Tompkins—are eligible. There are no income limits for participation, and applicants may combine this funding with other state and federal aid, such as TAP and PELL grants.
Dr. Heather Maldonado, Keuka’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, called the partnership a way to invest in the future of community care. “By opening the door to nursing and social work degrees for more students and incentivizing their service to local communities, Keuka College and Caring Gene are helping to build up the healthcare workforce in chronically underserved areas,” she said.
The Caring Gene program supports education in 13 healthcare fields, targeting both new students and existing professionals looking to advance. Keuka’s contribution brings accredited graduate-level options to that mix, delivered from the College’s main campus in the Finger Lakes region.
Prospective students are encouraged to act soon due to the limited timeframe. Registration and details are available at caringgene.org.
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