Vocate Taps Tech Leaders to Tackle Healthcare Workforce Crisis

TAMPA, FL – February 17, 2026 – Vocate Education Solutions, a non-profit organization focused on closing critical workforce talent gaps, today announced a significant leadership transition for its Board of Trustees. Dr. Saundra Wall Williams has been elected Chair and Hugh Campbell will serve as Vice Chair. The appointments bring a formidable combination of expertise in technology, corporate governance, and workforce development to the forefront of the organization’s mission to expand access to high-quality healthcare education, particularly for adult learners in under-resourced communities.

This strategic move comes as Vocate, the supporting organization for Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) and a family of other educational enterprises, aims to scale its impact amid a deepening national healthcare labor shortage. The new leadership is poised to guide the organization's long-term strategy, leveraging technology to create more accessible and effective pathways from education to employment.

A New Guard with Deep Tech and Governance Roots

The new board leaders bring decades of high-level experience that directly aligns with the challenges and opportunities in modern workforce education.

Dr. Saundra Wall Williams, who previously served as Vice Chair of the UMA Board, is a nationally recognized figure in information technology and leadership. Her distinguished career includes more than 16 years in executive roles at the North Carolina Community College System—the third-largest of its kind in the world. As Senior Vice President and Chief of Information Technology, she was a leading authority on large-scale technology implementation, overseeing everything from distance learning and IT security to data intelligence and workforce development. Her work has earned her prestigious accolades, including North Carolina CIO of the Year and North Carolina Technology Woman of the Year. Currently, Dr. Williams is the CEO of WMS Leadership Solutions, a professional development firm supporting women leaders, and serves as an adjunct assistant professor at North Carolina State University, where she teaches on the intersection of technology and leadership.

“I am honored to step into the role of Chair to support Vocate Education Solutions and its family of brands,” said Dr. Williams. “Our evolution reflects the growing impact and reach of the organization. Vocate’s work, through UMA and its broader portfolio, plays a vital role in preparing skilled, compassionate allied healthcare professionals. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow trustees and Vocate’s leadership to advance this critical need.”

Hugh Campbell, the newly elected Vice Chair, brings over two decades of private-sector technology expertise. He is the Founder and Chairman of AC4S Technologies, a hybrid cloud solutions provider specializing in cybersecurity and intelligent building systems. His background is rooted in the belief that digital transformation is essential to making educational opportunities accessible to non-traditional learners. Campbell’s extensive governance experience includes serving on the Board of Trustees for the BayCare Health System, a prominent regional healthcare provider. He is also the past Chair of the CEO Council of Tampa. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Campbell served 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a communications officer, an experience that honed his skills in leadership and technology management.

“It’s a privilege to serve as Vice Chair during this pivotal moment,” said Campbell. “We have a unique opportunity to strengthen the organization’s impact across education and workforce readiness in our local community as well as nationwide. I’m excited to support Vocate’s continued growth and innovation.”

Addressing a Critical National Healthcare Shortage

The leadership appointments are particularly timely, as the U.S. healthcare industry grapples with an unprecedented labor crisis. According to federal projections, healthcare occupations are expected to grow much faster than the average for all other occupations, with about 1.9 million job openings anticipated each year through 2034. This demand is fueled by an aging population with growing medical needs and a wave of retirements from the existing healthcare workforce.

The shortages are acute across the sector. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a potential shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. The nursing field is similarly strained, with an estimated 42 states expected to face nursing shortages within the next five years. The strain extends deeply into allied health and support roles—the very fields Vocate specializes in training. Healthcare support occupations are projected to be one of the fastest-growing groups, yet a 2021 study predicted a shortage of nearly 450,000 home health aides by 2025. Furthermore, a 2023 survey by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) revealed that two-thirds of health information professionals are experiencing persistent staffing gaps, impacting everything from patient data quality to revenue cycle management.

This landscape underscores the urgency of Vocate’s mission to train and place skilled professionals into these high-demand roles. The technological expertise of Dr. Williams and Campbell is seen as a key asset in developing scalable, modern training programs that can prepare workers for a healthcare environment increasingly reliant on data analytics, telehealth, and artificial intelligence.

A Strategic Vision for Empowering Learners

Vocate operates as a non-profit higher education and workforce solutions provider, serving more than 20,000 adult learners annually through its family of institutions, including Ultimate Medical Academy, American Institute, Nasium Training, and Global Education Group. Its core focus is on individuals in under-resourced populations, helping them transition from jobs in sectors like retail and food service to stable, growth-oriented careers in healthcare. To date, the organization has helped over 100,000 graduates achieve career success.

The new board leadership will provide governance and strategic direction as Vocate continues to expand its services. Their collective experience will guide the organization in enhancing its educational delivery models, strengthening employer partnerships, and ensuring its programs remain aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. UMA and the other entities will operate under this unified leadership structure, benefiting from the board's broader strategic perspective and commitment to innovation.

This structure is designed to create robust pathways for economic mobility. By combining career-aligned curriculum with comprehensive student support and job placement services, Vocate provides a holistic model for workforce development. The new board's focus on technology and governance is expected to optimize this model, ensuring its long-term sustainability and impact. This strategic oversight is crucial for a non-profit that balances mission-driven goals with the operational complexities of a large-scale educational provider.