California’s Central Valley faces a growing healthcare crisis—from long ER wait times to a severe shortage of nurses and primary care providers. In this episode of the Stan State EduCast, we explore how Stanislaus State is tackling the issue head-on by training local students to become the next generation of healthcare professionals.Host Frankie Tovar is joined by Dr. Sarah Sweitzer (Dean of the Stockton Campus) and Dr. Wendy Matthew (Associate Professor of Nursing) for an in-depth conversation about nursing shortages, health equity, burnout, and how simulation labs, bachelor’s programs, and community partnerships are reshaping the region’s healthcare future.Whether you're a student, parent, faculty member, healthcare partner, or community advocate, this episode will show you how Stan State is “growing local, training local, and keeping local” — all while building a healthier, more equitable Central Valley.Dr. Sarah Sweitzer: https://www.csustan.edu/people/wendy-matthew Dr. Wendy Matthew: https://www.csustan.edu/people/dr-sarah-sweitzerStan Magazine Article: https://issuu.com/csustanislaus/docs/stan_magazine_spring_2025/s/84341041School of Nursing Website: https://www.csustan.edu/nursingHealthForce Partners: https://healthforcepartners.orgProduced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.#nursing #healthcareaccess #highereducation