Congresswoman April McClain Delaney Visits Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine
Congresswoman April McClain Delaney Visits Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine
HAGERSTOWN, MD – Tuesday, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06) visited the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) and Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) in Hagerstown to learn more about the programs and explore opportunities to partner on joint priorities.
At PIA, the Congresswoman toured the Institute’s training facility in Hagerstown and met with students and educators to discuss how its curriculum best prepares students for future careers. According to PIA, well over 90% of its graduates are placed into jobs within 30 days of graduating. The demand for these high-skill careers is only increasing; the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that aircraft mechanics’ and service technicians’ employment is projected to grow by 5% by 2033, equivalent to 13,400 new job openings a year.
“This program sets the standard for how we should approach workforce development as a country. By working with employers and industry experts, we can and should better tailor our curriculums to the evolving demands of the job market,” said Rep. McClain Delaney. “Equally important, programs such as PIA vastly improve our industries’ ability to remain globally competitive and innovative. Creating high-skill, good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year college degree is mission critical, and I am proud to work with PIA to move the ball forward in Maryland.”
"We are excited to welcome Congresswoman April McClain Delaney to the PIA Hagerstown campus as we break ground on our 10,000 square foot campus addition. This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to developing a skilled aviation workforce, as we have proudly graduated over 550 technicians since our inception in Washington County in 2011,” said PIA President and CEO Suzanne Markle. “The generosity and support from our local and federal representatives have been instrumental in our journey. As we continue to address the critical shortage of FAA-certified technicians, we deeply appreciate the community's investment in our mission to ensure Hagerstown remains a vital hub for aviation training and innovation."
Afterwards, Rep. McClain Delaney visited the new Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine to meet with its President and CEO Dr. Maulik Joshi and its senior team to discuss upcoming priorities. The school pairs classroom education, including cutting-edge virtual reality, with clinical training from the hospital to best serve its students and the surrounding community. Of the 200 medical schools nationwide, fewer than 20 are directly connected to a health system, including this school. MSOM is also meeting the needs of the region. Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties are all currently designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, which means that there are 3,500 or more patients per provider.
“Having grown up in Buhl, Idaho, I am acutely aware of the challenges rural communities face in accessing health care. We’re experiencing a nationwide physician shortage, and sadly Maryland is no exception. Through this school, we are both addressing the need for more physicians in Maryland and adapting to the developing needs of the Washington County community,” said Rep. McClain Delaney.
"We are thrilled to welcome Congresswoman McClain Delaney to Hagerstown and give her a tour of the new Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine," said Meritus President and CEO Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H. "We appreciate the support shown so far for our work to increase the number of doctors in our region, state, and country. Our goal with this new medical school—the first in Maryland in more than 100 years—is to train physicians who will be socially responsible, professionally accomplished, and community oriented."
Of additional note, the hospital relies on solar panels to help power its campus and strengthen its energy resilience. In a blackout, the entire hospital is able to sustain life-saving care by sourcing power from diesel and from the solar panels. These panels, which cost $22 million, were partially paid for by federal rebates provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, a federal funding source now frozen due to an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump. Yesterday, Congresswoman McClain Delaney joined a letter to the Trump administration urgently requesting clarification on which programs will be impacted.
For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.
Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland’s 6th District.