Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) proudly announces that the Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors has awarded the college $500,000 to support the Training and

Education for Advanced Cardiovascular Healthcare (TEACH) project. This funding will enable FTCC to expand and strengthen its partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health System through the creation of an advanced Cardiovascular Technology program that will prepare graduates for employment at the hospital and throughout the Sandhills Region.

The TEACH project is designed to prepare a new generation of professionals in the rapidly growing field of cardiovascular healthcare, addressing the critical need for skilled specialists across the region.

“Golden LEAF is proud to support Fayetteville Technical Community College’s strategy to develop a new Cardiovascular Technology program,” said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton in a press release. “This program will prepare students for high-demand healthcare careers, strengthen rural healthcare systems, and meet the workforce needs of employers in the Sandhills Region.”

Cardiovascular Technology is an allied health discipline that trains individuals to perform procedures essential to diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease.

Students can choose from two specialized tracks: an invasive track and a non-invasive track.

Graduates from the invasive track will be prepared for in-demand positions in cardiac catheterization labs and interventional radiography, while graduates pursuing the non-invasive track will be equipped to work in echocardiography within hospitals and cardiology clinics.

In addition, FTCC plans to develop pathways for students who already hold associate degrees and professional credentials in related health fields such as radiography, medical sonography, nursing, emergency medical science, respiratory therapy, and surgical technology, creating accessible advancement options for current healthcare professionals.

The funding will support the renovation of FTCC’s existing Surgical Services lab to serve as a shared, versatile training space for the Surgical Technology, Central Sterile Processing, and Invasive Cardiovascular Technology programs featuring modern simulation technology and expanded operating room spaces.

FTCC’s TEACH initiative represents a collaborative effort with Robeson Community College, Sandhills Community College, Bladen Community College, Cape Fear Valley Health, and FirstHealth. Together, these partners aim to strengthen the regional healthcare pipeline and ensure that area hospitals and clinics have access to highly trained, job-ready cardiovascular professionals.

“The funding from Golden LEAF will enable Fayetteville Tech to meet an urgent regional workforce need locally and partner with community colleges in the rural areas of our region to extend critical healthcare training to Bladen, Hoke, Robeson and Moore counties,” said FTCC’s President Dr. Mark Sorrells in a press release. “Through TEACH, we will give students cutting-edge cardiovascular training while positively impacting the healthcare systems that serve the Sandhills Region.”

The project also received support from the North Carolina Community College’s High-Cost Healthcare Grant program to equip the facility.

The first classes for the Cardiovascular Technology program are expected to begin in fall 2026 with the first cohort of 25 students, growing to 40 students within three years.

Check out the Nov. 7 issue of GFBJ for an article expanding on this announcement and exclusive comments from FTCC’s Dean of Allied Health Michelle Walden.