The College of Southern Maryland Foundation received a $100,000 gift from the Wills Group to support the launch of a radiation therapy program. The donation, announced January 8, 2026, will fund training for students to administer radiation treatments and operate laboratory equipment, addressing a need in Southern Maryland’s healthcare workforce. The program is set to begin in fiscal year 2027 at the Regional Hughesville Campus in Charles County.
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson stated the investment will impact students by creating career pathways and aligning with regional workforce demands. “At CSM we are committed to listening to our community partners and creating academic pathways that align with workforce demands,” Wilson said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with the Wills Group to support our students’ academic and economic success while strengthening care services for those in need across Southern Maryland.”
The initiative responds to a national shortage of radiation therapists. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, a 2024 staffing survey showed a vacancy rate exceeding 13 percent for radiation therapists, up about three percent from 2022. The program will prepare graduates to assist in hospitals and cancer centers, focusing on patient care and treatment administration.
CalvertHealth CEO Jeremy Bradford highlighted the program’s role in meeting local demands. “Radiation therapists play a critical role in cancer care, and like many healthcare professions, the demand for these highly skilled clinicians continues to grow,” Bradford said. “Launching a Radiation Therapy program in Southern Maryland is an important step toward addressing a regional workforce shortage while creating meaningful career pathways for students who want to serve their community.”
The gift will establish the Anne and Blackie Wills Radiation Lab in the Health Sciences Building at the Hughesville Campus. Julian “Blackie” Wills III, president and CEO of the Wills Group, described the contribution as part of ongoing community support. “At the Wills Group, we’ve always believed that investing in people is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen our community,” Wills said. “CSM has a long history of creating access to education and career opportunities right here in Southern Maryland. We’re proud to support a program that not only prepares students for meaningful, in-demand careers, but also helps ensure our region has the skilled healthcare professionals needed to care for our neighbors.”
The College of Southern Maryland, a public community college, serves Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties with campuses in La Plata, Hughesville, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick. Founded to provide accessible education, CSM maintains a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and has awarded $5 million in scholarships to 4,000 students over the past five years through its foundation. The college emphasizes workforce development, partnering with local entities to meet economic needs, including health sciences programs such as nursing and emergency medical services.
Maryland faces broader healthcare workforce challenges, as noted in a governor’s summit monograph that identified shortages in fields like radiation therapy and called for targeted training initiatives. In Southern Maryland, facilities like CalvertHealth in Prince Frederick provide oncology services, including breast cancer care through the Sheldon E. Goldberg Center, and collaborate with institutions like Duke Health for advanced treatment. The demand for radiation therapists stems from increasing cancer cases requiring specialized care, with national projections estimating 1,000 additional positions needed by 2031.
The Wills Group, a family-owned company headquartered in La Plata, has operated in Southern Maryland for 100 years, starting as an energy provider and expanding to over 300 retail locations across the Mid-Atlantic. Its philanthropy includes grants to food banks, community gardens and nonprofits, with past support for organizations like Farming 4 Hunger and LifeStyles of Southern Maryland. This donation aligns with the company’s focus on education and health in the region.
CSM’s new program builds on existing health manpower shortage designations in Maryland, where radiation therapy training is listed among critical needs at community colleges. By equipping students with skills for industry-standard equipment, the initiative aims to fill vacancies at local centers, enhancing patient outcomes in cancer treatment.
