BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — More Berkeley County students could soon gain greater exposure to careers in healthcare, science and technology thanks to a new $25,000 grant awarded to a regional educator training program that includes Berkeley County School District teachers.
HCA Healthcare in the Lowcountry recently announced that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded the funding to Tri-County STEMersion, a program designed to give STEM educators hands-on experience with local industries and workforce needs before they return to their classrooms.
The grant will support immersive professional development opportunities for educators from Berkeley County School District, Charleston County School District, Dorchester School District 4 and Dorchester School District Two.
Local leaders say the investment ultimately benefits students by helping teachers better connect classroom instruction to real-world careers, including those in the healthcare field.
“We are proud to support Tri-County STEMersion and its mission to inspire the next generation of professionals,” said Jeff Wilson, president of HCA Healthcare Charleston and CEO of Trident Hospital. “By investing in educators and innovative learning experiences, we are helping build a stronger pipeline of future clinicians, scientists and engineers who will improve the health of our community for years to come.”
Connecting Classrooms to Careers
Tri-County STEMersion brings educators together for an intensive week-long experience where they work alongside industry professionals and learn how STEM concepts are applied in real workplaces.
Participants then use what they learn to develop lesson plans and classroom activities that help students understand potential career paths in healthcare, engineering, manufacturing and other STEM-related fields.
More than 150 STEM educators participated in the program in 2025.
For Berkeley County students, the program offers a direct link between classroom learning and the region’s growing healthcare industry, which continues to expand alongside the county’s rapid population growth.
Preparing the Next Generation
Michelle McDonald, deputy director of Dorchester County Economic Development, said the partnership will provide educators with valuable resources they can bring back to students throughout the Lowcountry.
“This partnership allows us to equip educators with meaningful industry insights and tools that will directly impact students across the Lowcountry, inspiring them to pursue careers in healthcare and other STEM-related fields,” McDonald said.
The funding comes through the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact initiative launched with an initial $75 million investment to address community needs and improve health outcomes.
Building a Future Workforce
The grant is part of broader efforts by HCA Healthcare in the Lowcountry to strengthen educational pathways into healthcare careers.
The organization includes Trident Hospital in North Charleston, Summerville Hospital, Live Oak Mental Health & Wellness, Colleton Hospital, CareNow facilities and several freestanding emergency rooms serving the region.
In addition to supporting STEMersion, HCA Healthcare officials said they continue to invest in student shadowing opportunities, volunteer programs and workforce development initiatives designed to prepare future healthcare professionals.
“HCA Healthcare colleagues are driven by our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Virginia Tenpenny, vice president of community engagement. “That mission extends outside the walls of our facilities and into our communities.”
As Berkeley County continues to grow, education and workforce leaders say partnerships like STEMersion play an important role in ensuring local students are prepared to fill the healthcare, science and technology jobs that will be needed across the region in the years ahead.
