The Navy Yard Blog

Coriell Life Sciences Earns Second PBMI Excellence Award for Cost Containment

September 16, 2022/in Community, Health & Wellness, Tenants /by The Navy Yard

Congratulations to Coriell Life Sciences on earning their second Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) Excellence Award for Cost Containment om honor of their Corigen® Medication Safety Program, which eliminates a root cause of healthcare waste—medications that are harming people instead of helping them—and in turn reduces needless healthcare costs in a major way.

Coriell Life Sciences is headquartered in the Navy Yard is a precision medicine genetics company using genetic science and research to improve lives, reduce healthcare costs, and simplify decision-making for their customers throughout the United States and around the world.

From the Coriell Life Sciences award announcement:

“This award speaks to the fact that Corigen is not only the most comprehensive pharmacogenomics (PGx) offering on the market, but also one of the most impactful,” says Jeffrey A. Shaman, Chief Science Officer at Coriell Life Sciences, who was also selected as a speaker for the event. “When individuals and their physicians are empowered to avoid medications that are ineffective or unsafe based on their DNA and other personal factors, the measurable economic, clinical, and humanistic benefits are all quite significant.”

These benefits are illustrated in a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine. The research examined the real-world outcomes of a Corigen implementation with a group of 5,288 Medicare Advantage members over 32 months. Findings included:

Lower rates of healthcare resource utilization. Among participants, inpatient visits decreased by 14.9%, Emergency Department visits decreased by 6.8%, and outpatient visits decreased by 1.9%.
Millions of dollars in cost savings. Driven by a decrease in Emergency Department visits and inpatient hospitalizations, direct medical charges were reduced by approximately $7,000 per member for a cumulative savings of more than $37 million over 32 months.

Payers everywhere are struggling with the rising costs of care. By eliminating a root cause of healthcare waste—medications that are harming people instead of helping them—we can reduce these costs in a major way,” notes Dr. Shaman.

Corigen, which was also honored with the PBMI Excellence Award for Cost Containment in 2020, is a turnkey PGx solution for employers, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and other large populations. It includes everything from population analytics (identifying high-risk, likely-to-benefit members) to member engagement, DNA testing, pharmacist consultation, physician engagement, and reporting.

Learn more about the Corigen Medication Safety Program here.

Broad Street Quay Wall Reconstruction Ceremony

September 16, 2022/in Amenities, Construction Updates, News, Press Releases /by The Navy Yard

Broad Street Quay Wall Reconstruction at Philadelphia Navy Yard from Urban Video Productions® on Vimeo.
We were excited to finally be able to hold a ceremony to kick off the Broad Street infrastructure improvement project on September 14. Reconstruction of a critical 734-foot section of Broad Street (referred to as the Quay Wall) officially started at the end of July, but the ceremony was held later to welcome distinguished guests and partners to the event, including Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, along with representatives from PennDOT and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The reconstruction of the Quay Wall is imperative to ensure safety and to increase accessibility for the public and the 150 businesses and 15,000 employees at the Navy Yard. The Quay Wall overlooks the Navy Yard River Basin and sits on top of a more than 120-year-old timber-bridge structure that has largely been submerged in the Delaware River and subject to the elements.

Broad Street will be closed between Crescent Dr & Intrepid Ave

734-foot section of Broad St (known as the Quay Wall)

The project is the result of a $19M+ joint-venture project between PennDOT, the U.S. EDA, City of Philadelphia, and PIDC.

From left to right: Sam Rhoads (PIDC Executive Vice President), Lou Belmonte (PennnDOT Regional Executive), Linda Cruz-Carnall (U.S. EDA Regional Director), Kate McNamara (PIDC Senior Vice President, Navy Yard), Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson

“Without these partnerships, none of this would be possible,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s Senior Vice President, Navy Yard. “This has been a very complex project that has been in planning and procurement for several years.”

This project is also important for the future of the Navy Yard and Philadelphia.

In his remarks to the crowd, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, the will create safer transit for pedestrians and bicyclists which can also boost the economy for local businesses, and it was just one of the many innovative and exciting developments coming to the Navy Yard thanks to the Navy Yard Plan.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, who represents Philadelphia’s Second District where the Navy Yard is located, stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure for the future and that the $19 million dollar project was a needed investment.

The theme of long-term vision into the future and partnerships prevailed with the other special guests from PennDOT and U.S. EDA.

“This project started with a vision and PennDOT is proud to be part of that vision,” said Lou Belmonte, PennDOT District Executive. “The Navy Yard a truly unique place and there is tremendous work happening here as it continues as a thriving center for businesses, innovation, investment, talent, and jobs.”

“The U.S. EDA is proud to make these investments in regional growth and prosperity,” said Linda Cruz-Carnall, U.S. EDA Regional Director. “We appreciate the spirit and history and continued resiliency at this site and of all of its stakeholders. Together we are united in pride and hope.”

The Quay Wall project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023. When complete, it will have four lanes for vehicles, a two-way raised bike lane, and a new, scenic pedestrian plaza overlooking the Reserve Basin.

Future Broad Street between Crescent Dr & Intrepid Ave

View of new Pedestrian Plaza overlooking elevated bike lanes and Broad Street

Broad Street Quay Wall now

Navy Yard Skills Initiative Begins Recruitment for Patient Registrar at Jefferson Health

September 13, 2022/in Cool Jobs, Health & Wellness, News, Tenants, Workforce Development /by The Navy Yard

University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and PIDC’s Navy Yard Skills Initiative (NYSI) are recruiting across Philadelphia for training and job opportunities as a Patient Registrar at Jefferson Health. Full-time positions begin at $15.15/hr.

September 15 at 1 p.m. or September 22 at 11 a.m.

Who should apply?

We are looking for customer service professionals who thrive in a fast-paced environment that requires frequent computer use. Commitment to the full training schedule (below) is required:

Facilitated group conversations, Mon – Fri, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., October 17 – November 4, 2022
Additional one-on-one and small group virtual meetings several times a week between 1-3 p.m.
Approximately 2 hours of daily reading and reflection exercises

What is the Patient Registrar Program?

This program is offered by the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and Navy Yard Skills Initiative (NYSI) to connect participants to the tools and support needed to build a meaningful career at Jefferson Health. Participants must attend in-person sessions at the Navy Yard every weekday between October 17 and November 4 in addition to virtual group meetings and other daily assignments. Graduates will have the opportunity to interview for full-time Patient Registrar positions at Jefferson Health.

In this program, we offer:

Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 91% of WPSI graduates finding employment
A $150 weekly stipend while in the Patient Registrar Program
The opportunity to interview for open, full-time Patient Registrar positions at Jefferson Health starting at $15.15/hr

Are you eligible?

All applicants must be a resident of Philadelphia; commit to the full training schedule; possess a high school diploma or GED; be unemployed; be tobacco-free; Candidates for the Patient Registrar Program must provide proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine by October 6, 2022 to be considered.

APPLY HERE! DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, September 30, 2022 at 5 p.m.

09.22 Jefferson Health Patient Registrar Square

Navy Yard Businesses Come Through Big in Back-to-School Supply Drive for Local Elementary School

August 29, 2022/in Community, Events, Fun, News, Tenants /by The Navy Yard

The Navy Yard business community came together to support a local elementary school with a back-to-school supply drive during August to support the incoming kindergarten class at F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School, Bregy for short, in South Philadelphia.

The Navy Yard Engagement Committee, a collection of representatives from Navy Yard businesses whose goal is to plan community events and programs, organized the drive and placed collection bins around the Navy Yard campus. The drive resulted in more than two dozen boxes of notebooks, crayons, colored pencils, erasers, dry-erase markers, supply boxes, bookbags, hand sanitizer, bleach wipes, and other items being collected.

Being part of the Navy Yard includes access to a diverse business community that offers opportunities not just for growth, but also initiatives to foster civic and corporate engagement in the community. One of the key areas of Navy Yard community engagement is focused on education, and in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, the Navy Yard adopted the Bregy with the goal of supporting, collaborating, and facilitating opportunities for the students in order to reach their full potential.

Bregy is a historic school located in the Marconi Plaza neighborhood of South Philadelphia, and is one of three public elementary schools located in the Navy Yard’s catchment. With a focus on academics, technology, the arts, science and social skills, Bregy provides access to the latest technology across all grades K through 8.

A small sampling of the school supplies and classroom items collected by Navy Yard business during the back-to-school supply drive benefiting the Navy Yard’s adopted school the F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School in South Philadelphia.

Full donation bins of school supplies and classroom items collected by Navy Yard businesses during the back-to-school supply drive benefiting the Navy Yard’s adopted school the F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School in South Philadelphia.

A small sampling of the school supplies and classroom items collected by Navy Yard businesses during the back-to-school supply drive benefiting the Navy Yard’s adopted school the F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School in South Philadelphia.

The bed of this truck holds an abundance of notebooks, crayons, colored pencils, erasers, dry-erase markers, supply boxes, bookbags, hand sanitizer, bleach wipes, and other items that were collected during the back-to-school supply drive benefiting the Navy Yard’s adopted school the F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School in South Philadelphia.

F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School is a historic school located in the Marconi Plaza neighborhood of South Philadelphia, and is one of three public elementary schools located in the Navy Yard’s catchment. In collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, the Navy Yard adopted the Bregy with the goal of supporting, collaborating, and facilitating opportunities for the students in order to reach their full potential.

F. Amedee Bregy Elementary School (Bregy) is a historic school located in the Marconi Plaza neighborhood of South Philadelphia, and is one of three public elementary schools located in the Navy Yard’s catchment. In collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, the Navy Yard adopted the Bregy with the goal of supporting, collaborating, and facilitating opportunities for the students in order to reach their full potential.

Five Organizations Partner to Design New Biotech Training Program to Connect Philadelphians with Quality Jobs in the Region’s Rapidly Growing Life Sciences Sector

August 23, 2022/in Cool Jobs, News, Press Releases, Workforce Development /by The Navy Yard

Media Contacts:

Chris Richman, University City District, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, chris@universitycity.org, 215.243.0555 x229
Darien Sutton, The Wistar Institute, dsutton@wistar.org, 215.898.3988, 215.870.2048 (cell)
Jen Tran, PIDC, jtran@PIDCphila.com, 215.218.2854
Jen Saunders, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., jen.saunders@iovance.com, 917.514.6512
Sue Hamilton, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, shamilton@devinepartners.com, 215.568.2525, 609.440.6917 (cell)

The Wistar Institute, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, Iovance Biotherapeutics, PIDC, and The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Launch Recruitment for the Pilot Program on August 23

PHILADELPHIA (August 23, 2022) – Partners in Greater Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem are collaborating to create a new workforce development training model to connect biotech jobs with a wider range of Philadelphians, including residents from disadvantaged communities. In a field that often requires PhDs or master’s degrees for most roles, the program – “Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing” – will create opportunities for Philadelphians with at least a high school equivalency. The initiative is one way the region is working together to meet the talent needs in its rapidly growing cell and gene therapy sector.

Recruitment begins August 23 for the 22-week paid program, which will include class- and lab-based training provided by The Wistar Institute and professional development from University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, culminating in a 10-week externship at Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., a late-stage biotechnology company developing novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies, whose cell therapy manufacturing center is located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Program participants will gain the skills needed to be considered for employment as associate aseptic manufacturing technicians – jobs starting at $23/hour – at the conclusion of the program in March 2023. Associate aseptic manufacturing technicians are responsible for maintaining a sterile lab environment, assembling sterile products, stocking supplies, and documenting processes of biomedical manufacturers in supporting the creation of cell therapies.

The foundations of this model are familiar to The Wistar Institute, which has been successfully operating its Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Program for over 20 years. “This expansion of our proven program is perfectly aligned with one of the pillars of our strategic plan, BOLD Science // GLOBAL Impact (https://boldscience.wistar.org), to create a diverse, inclusive life science talent pipeline. Wistar’s collaborations with public and private partners create a new paradigm for workforce development to support the continued growth of the Philadelphia life sciences industry,” said Dr. Dario Altieri, president and CEO of The Wistar Institute.

For the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, which has extensive experience developing training programs with healthcare organizations, the entry into life sciences is an exciting evolution. “What we’re hoping to do is to become an exemplar of how you can do workforce equitability, inclusively, collaboratively, in a way that helps Philadelphians connect to high-quality jobs and supports the cell and gene therapy industry,” said Cait Garozzo, Managing Director at the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative.

“Iovance is proud to be a part of the vibrant, diverse Greater Philadelphia community and rapidly growing cell therapy hub. We are committed to promoting inclusivity, equity and diversity at Iovance and within the life sciences industry. We are excited to help introduce a wider range of Philadelphians to career options in biotech and hope this new program can serve as a model to our industry peers to increase inclusivity in the biotech workforce and its career development opportunities,” said Tracy Winton, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Much of the growth of the region’s cell and gene therapy hub is taking place at the Navy Yard, where Iovance Cell Therapy Center is located, and in University City, where The Wistar Institute is located, and where the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative has built its reputation as one of the leading workforce intermediaries in the country. Among other factors, the sector’s growth is reflected in the more than 50 cell and gene therapy companies that now call Greater Philadelphia home; the $3 billion in investment the region’s cell and gene therapy sector attracted in 2021; the 80 percent increase in employment at cell and gene therapy companies and contract manufacturing organizations in the past three years; and the more than 9 million square feet of existing space and 2.7 million square feet under construction to support the sector’s growth.

The launch of the program follows on the heels of a recent workforce talent study for the region’s cell and gene therapy sector, conducted by Econsult Solutions for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s CEO Council for Growth and the University City Science Center. Among the key findings was: Greater Philadelphia will maintain its position as a leading R&D hub and will increasingly become a commercialization and manufacturing center; and there will be job opportunities at all levels, including those not requiring a four-year degree, particularly as companies grow and begin building manufacturing capacity. The workforce talent study is part of the Chamber’s broader efforts to proactively address the talent needs of the cell and gene therapy community through research, strategic promotion, early-career talent-focused events, and convening employers. The Chamber has been convening talent professionals from cell and gene therapy companies for three years to develop an understanding of their needs, and Iovance has been an active participant in that group.

PIDC‘s Navy Yard Skills Initiative, a workforce development training program created to address the talent needs of the employers located at the Navy Yard, has been crucial in engaging its life sciences employers to create non-traditional pathways into cell and gene therapy careers, including Iovance. Currently, the Navy Yard has over 750,000 square feet of life sciences lab, production, and office space, with 270,000 square feet under construction and 4 million square feet planned.

“Iovance is one of five advanced life sciences companies at the Navy Yard, where strong demand for R&D and clinical/commercial manufacturing spaces demonstrates the strength of this sector and the unique opportunity to equitably connect Philadelphia residents with quality jobs,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s Senior Vice President, Navy Yard. “We are excited to partner with The Wistar Institute, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, Iovance, and the Chamber of Commerce to create this innovative training program for these jobs of the future.”

“Iovance will be the first employer to take advantage of this training model. In reexamining the minimum qualifications required for the associate aseptic manufacturing technician role, they’re demonstrating a commitment to skills-based hiring that we hope other employers will consider,” said Sarah Steltz, Vice President of Economic Competitiveness, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

Additional partners also contributed to the development of the novel training model program through their leadership and resources, including Philadelphia Works, and JP Morgan.

“We are so pleased to help support the launch of this innovative training model, which brings together two of our region’s strongest training organizations and other industry partners to positively impact our life sciences talent pipeline,” Steltz said. “ As excited as we are about the upcoming cohort, we definitely have our eyes on the horizon. For us to capitalize on the opportunities that we’re seeing in life sciences, we’re going to have to think differently as an ecosystem. We’re going to have to work differently. It will take collaboration not just among workforce organizations and employers, but government, philanthropy, and higher education too. The good news is that I think we’re all up for the challenge, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”

Program Information

The 22-week paid training program begins with 10 weeks of evening classes at The Wistar Institute focused on preparing participants with a foundation in cellular and molecular biology as applicable to the life sciences industry. After the first 10 weeks, participants will take part in a full-time, hands-on laboratory orientation at The Wistar Institute before transitioning to externships at the Iovance iCTC (Cell Therapy Center) at the Navy Yard.

Throughout the 22-week program, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative will support participants by offering professional development courses and coaching.

Select candidates who complete the program may interview for a full-time position at Iovance, with a starting pay of $23/hour. The partners already have plans to repeat the program.

Recruitment for the program, which the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative will launch on August 23 with online applications on its website (www.philadelphiaskills.org), continues through September 9. The program will officially welcome selected participants at The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street in West Philadelphia, on September 22, and continue through early March 2023.

To apply, candidates need to be Philadelphia residents 18 years of age or older, with a high school diploma or GED, and test at a 12^th grade level in reading, literacy, and math. Eighteen participants will be selected for the pilot program.

For more information, contact: ssteltz@chamberphl.com.

About West Philadelphia Skills Initiative

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is one of the nation’s most successful workforce development organizations. For 10 years, WPSI has solidified its role as one of the highest performing workforce intermediaries in the country by building customized talent solutions that bridge the divide between unemployed Philadelphians seeking opportunity and employers seeking talent. WPSI focuses on professional development and career coaching for adults.www.philadelphiaskills.org

About The Wistar Institute

The Wistar Institute is the nation’s first independent, non-profit biomedical research institute and a world leader in early stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology and infectious disease. Wistar recently announced the creation of the Hubert J. P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center to bring together its education programs for high school, undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows, with its expanding pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training, including the newly named Fox Biomedical Research Technician (BRT) Apprenticeship. www.wistar.org

About Iovance Biotherapeutics

Iovance Biotherapeutics aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for patients with cancer. We are pioneering a transformational approach to cure cancer by harnessing the human immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy diverse cancer cells in each patient. Our lead late-stage TIL product candidate, lifileucel for metastatic melanoma, has the potential to become the first approved one-time cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer. The Iovance TIL platform has demonstrated promising clinical data across multiple solid tumors. We are committed to continuous innovation in cell therapy, including gene-edited cell therapy, that may extend and improve life for patients with cancer. For more information, please visit www.iovance.com.

About PIDC and the Philadelphia Navy Yard

PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation. Since acquiring the 1,200-acre site from the federal government in 2000, PIDC has been the master developer and site operator of the Navy Yard. PIDC’s mission—to spur investment, support business growth, and facilitate developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia—strongly informs its strategy for the Navy Yard, where the focus is on building a cohesive community that fosters employment, innovation, and production. PIDC manages all aspects of the property’s management and development, including master planning, leasing, property management, infrastructure development, utility operation, and structuring development transactions. www.PIDCphila.com www.navyyard.org

About The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s CEO Council for Growth:

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s CEO Council for Growth (CEO Council) leads our region forward by envisioning a stronger, more competitive community, convening decision makers, taking action, and advocating for policies and practices that strengthen our regional economy. The CEO Council advocates through its members and engaged stakeholders to enhance economic growth and prosperity in the region. We prioritize the revitalization and enhancement of our region’s talent, mobility, and innovation. The CEO Council’s Cell & Gene Therapy Initiative is leveraging Greater Philadelphia’s specialized assets to accelerate growth and promote the region as the global hub of research, talent, capital, and companies in cell & gene therapy, gene editing, and connected health. For more information, visitwww. ceocouncilforgrowth.com

The Navy Yard Welcomes Concierge Spine & Sports Medicine

August 18, 2022/in Amenities, News, Tenants /by The Navy Yard

The Navy Yard is pleased to welcome Concierge Spine & Sports Medicine to the Navy Yard community. Located at 1200 Constitution Ave in the Vincera Institute building, Concierge Spine and Sports Medicine is focused on getting patients back to maximum function by providing fast, effective non-surgical pain relief services, and a wellness treatment plan that promotes a continuous healthy lifestyle.

“My goal is to establish a trusted physician-patient relationship from the very beginning,” says Dr. Malini Khanna, owner and operator of Concierge Spine and Sports Medicine. “I want to really focus on quality of care through open communication with my patients. I need them to know they are being heard, and they play an active role in their health journey. Appointments will never be rushed. We will address the source of their pain by developing an individualized treatment plan and will work with them to reduce pain and increase function.

“One of the most common reasons people come in for treatment is to address lower-back pain. When you are experiencing pain, we will be there to quickly find a cost-effective and innovative non-surgical solution, such as physical therapy or targeted injections under ultrasound or x-ray guidance.”

Concierge Spine and Sports Medicine is designed to offer same day or next day appointments including the option of virtual visits. Additionally, you will have access to the latest in treatment technologies as well as diet and nutrition, mindfulness, exercise, and other lifestyle options for pain improvement.

Dr. Malini Khanna, owner and operator of Concierge Spine and Sports Medicine

Concierge Spine and Sports Medicine is accepting new patients seeking non-surgical solutions for:

Lower back pain
Knee pain
Hip pain
Shoulder pain
Sports medicine

For more information and additional resources or to schedule an appointment, go to the Concierge Spine & Sports Medicine website at www.cssmpa.com or call 267-551-4200.

Concierge Spine & Sports Medicine lobby at 1200 Constitution Ave in the Vincera Institute building

Navy Yard Skills Initiative Begins Recruitment for Philly Shipyard, Inc. – Union Apprentice

August 16, 2022/in News /by The Navy Yard

PhillyShipyard_2Color

University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and PIDC’s Navy Yard Skills Initiative (NYSI) are recruiting across Philadelphia for training and job opportunities as a Union Apprentice earning $17.13/hour to start in partnership with Philly Shipyard, Inc.

August 25^th at 1PM or August 30^th at 11AM

Who should apply?

Goal-oriented, motivated individuals with a desire to obtain full-time permanent employment in the government and commercial shipbuilding industry. Successful candidates must thrive in a labor-intensive, fast-paced environment that operates in all-weather conditions. Attention to detail and a safety-first mindset are a must. Commitment to the full training schedule (below) is required:

Facilitated group conversations, Mon – Fri, 9AM-12PM, 9/19-10/11
Additional one-on-one and small group virtual meetings several times a week between 1PM – 3PM
Approximately 2 hours of daily reading and reflection exercises

What is the Shipyard Apprentice Program?

The Shipyard Apprentice Program is designed to connect participants to the professional and technical training, tools, and support needed to build a meaningful career at Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI). This program consists of in-person sessions at the Navy Yard, which will maintain high standards of safety compliance in the face of COVID-19. Graduates will have the opportunity to interview for full-time Apprentice positions at PSI.

In this program, we offer:

Cutting-edge job connection strategies resulting in 97% of WPSI graduates finding employment
A $150 weekly stipend while in training at WPSI.
The opportunity to interview for full-time Union Apprentice positions at Philly Shipyard, Inc. starting at $17.13/hr.

Are you eligible?

All applicants must be a resident of Philadelphia; commit to the full training schedule on September 19^th-October 11th; possess a high school diploma or GED; be unemployed; access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and high speed internet; Candidates for Shipyard Apprentice Program must provide proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine by Tuesday, September 9^th, 2022.

APPLY TODAY at navyyard.org/workforce/jobs!

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, September 2nd, 2022 at 5PM.

Easily Fill Your Prescriptions at the Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy

August 11, 2022/in Health & Wellness, News, Tenants /by The Navy Yard

Did you know that the Navy Yard has a pharmacy? That’s right, the Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy at 3 Crescent Drive features a full-service pharmacy that accepts all Rx plans.

“I think people are under the assumption that the pharmacy is only for patients at Jefferson Health,” said Ernie Cotilus III, RPh, Pharmacy Supervisor at Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy. “But we are open to the public, and the Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy is a great option for all Navy Yard employees to conveniently pick up their prescriptions during their workday versus waiting in long lines at local chain pharmacies.”

Not only can you get your prescriptions filled, but the pharmacy also offers:

routine vaccinations (e.g., influenza/flu, shingles, and more)
a wide variety of over-the-counter medications that are recommended by Jefferson Health medical staff
a medication disposal site

The pharmacy is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. So, transfer your prescriptions to the Jefferson Health Navy Yard Pharmacy today!

Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy
Address: 3 Crescent Drive (1^st floor lobby), Philadelphia, PA 19112
Phone: 215-890-2000
Fax: 215-890-9935

Ernie Cotilus III, RPh, Pharmacy Supervisor at Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy

Ernie Cotilus III, RPh, Pharmacy Supervisor at Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy, assists a customer

The Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy offers a wide variety of over-the-counter medications that are recommended by Jefferson Health medical staff

Medsafe medication disposal unit at the Jefferson Navy Yard Pharmacy

Current Vinta Bio staff at the Navy Yard

The Navy Yard Welcomes Vinta Bio

August 8, 2022/in News, Tenants, Welcome /by The Navy Yard

The Navy Yard is pleased to welcome Vinta Bio, our newest life sciences company, to the Navy Yard community located at 4050 S. 26^th Street, Suite 200. Vinta Bio, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), is focused on helping customers develop and manufacture viral vectors and cell therapy products. Its vision is to grow into a staple in the cell and gene therapy industry through their superior product quality and unmatched customer service.

Philadelphia is one of the fastest growing cell and gene therapy hubs in the country, which is one of the many reasons Vinta Bio moved its company to the Navy Yard. Additionally, Philadelphia has great incentives for small businesses looking to grow and add jobs to the local economy.

Vinta Bio currently has 20 employees and is forecasted to triple in size within the next 12 months. Seeing the demand for service there is a tremendous potential for business development and building partnerships, new customers, and local talent. The development aspirations are front and center for Vinta Bio. If you want to work in a GMP facility with a team at the ready to get started on projects for viral vector or cell therapy production or are interested in producing research-grade plasmids to support the program, please contact Aaron Solis, Head of Business Development, at aaron.solis@vintabio.com.

Current Vinta Bio staff at the Navy Yard

Companies like Vinta Bio are at the heart of the Navy Yard’s 20-year plan, which includes constructing 1.5 million square feet of life science manufacturing facilities. The Navy Yard is uniquely suited to attract and support life sciences both locally and internationally. With its proximity to the innovation and talent pool in University City and the surrounding region, the Navy Yard is an alluring option for companies looking to create unprecedented advances in medicine.

The Navy Yard Welcomes FKB Studios

July 27, 2022/in News, Tenants, Welcome /by The Navy Yard

The Navy Yard is pleased to welcome FKB Studios who recently located to Building 990! FKB is a cutting edge and innovative design and fabrication company specializing in creating immersive spaces. It is the exciting result of the recent merger of two established Philadelphia-based design and fabrication companies: FK Productions and B Fabrication. Together, FKB are masters in the art of applied imagination, enjoying a reputation for developing industry-leading approaches to civic placemaking, retail and entertainment facility design/build, experiential marketing, museum exhibit design, installation, and large-scale artwork.

While fostering its capabilities in digital design for architecture, fabrication, and installation, it has extended these skills into the virtual realm to create hybrid events (a blend of VR/AR and real work entertainment) that blur the line between the virtual and physical worlds.

An FKB installment at New York City’s Pier 17. The piece is based on the NFT character Aku, which was created by Micah Johnson, a former MLB player turned artist, after he heard a young boy ask, “can astronauts be black.” Photo courtesy of FKB.

An FKB sculpture of a life-sized S-Class Mercedes, which was parametrically modeled and put through a crash-test simulation, is made entirely from mirror-polished and regular stainless steel, comprising of over 9,000 individual pieces. Photo courtesy of FKB.

FKB prides itself on the ability to create what has not been created before; there everything is possible.

First located on Cambria Street in the West Kensington area of the city, FKB found that as the scope and scale of its business endeavors expanded, it became critical to find a new location in which to grow in terms of space and the impact it makes in the local community. FKB currently has about 50 employees, and the company is forecasted to double or even triple its staff size over the next several years in its new space.

The new studio in Building 990 at 2001 Kitty Hawk Avenue is nearly triple the size of its previous studio space and burgeoning community of businesses here at the Navy Yard allows FKB to align itself with likeminded leaders in various industries and further establish itself as an industry leader in fabrication, design, and installation. The FKB team is excited about the already growing network of businesses to call neighbors and looks forward to further integrating its team into the culture and community here.

A 40-foot FKB sculpture at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center in Philadelphia. This is FKB’s largest installation to date. Photo courtesy of FKB.