Healthcare Workforce Initiatives
Initiatives
A broad range of organizations are dedicated to securing the future of Michigan's healthcare workforce through various initiatives. These efforts cover multiple healthcare occupations and regions, aiming to address workforce shortages and pathways to the workforce, as well as retention, training, and improving quality, among other issues. By doing so, these organizations ensure a robust, sustainable healthcare system for generations to come.
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MHC Insight aims to provide a centralized hub where the public can access information on all of these initiatives, whether by occupation or location. In addition, users can connect with others addressing similar healthcare challenges, learn from existing programs, and help inform policymakers about developments in their regions.
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Click the buttons below to explore healthcare workforce initiatives in Michigan and across the nation. For more information on the process of discovering initiatives, click here.
Featured Initiatives
Each month, we will feature different initiatives across Michigan and highlight the impactful work they are doing. If you are interested in having your initiative featured, contact us, and we'll share the important work you are doing.
Joann Hogansan, MSN, RN - Medical Terminology Class
Joann Hogansan is the Division Director of Community Wellness at Kent County Health Department and a registered nurse with years of experience in public health. This year, she developed a program to encourage high schoolers to pursue careers in healthcare. In partnership she established with Union High School and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), she teaches medical terminology to students twice a week for two college credits as part of GRCC’s dual enrollment program. This program aims to increase inclusivity in healthcare, an area Joann identifies as a current challenge. While working in healthcare, she’s noticed a lack of diversity in the healthcare workforce and language barriers to receiving quality care, sometimes with difficulty finding interpreters for certain languages. Joann’s program encourages and empowers students from all backgrounds to explore healthcare. Her class of 24 students at Union High School includes 20 students of color and five refugees or recent immigrants. This program is currently only available at Union High School since Joann does all the teaching herself; however, GRCC is open to expanding the program. Individuals and organizations willing to get involved are encouraged to reach out to Joann. (joann.hoganson @ kentcountymi.gov)
Recovery Training Institute
We spoke to Detroit Recovery Project's Tiffany Arnold, Project Coordinator for MHAT and CPRM Projects, and Sydney Wilcox, CHW Project Coordinator on Recovery Training Institute and the Apprenticeship programs that they run. Detroit Recovery Project (DRP) is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting recovery, which strengthens, rebuilds, and empowers individuals, families, and communities who are experiencing co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder. The Recovery Training Institute is DRP's center for education, training, certification programs, and apprenticeship. They partner with MICHWA, HRSA, SAMSHA, and the Department of Labor.
Under RTI programs, there are three main pillars: the Community Health Worker Training Program (CHWTP), Certified Peer Recovery Mentor Academy (CPRM), and Mental Health First Aid.
Both CHWTP and CPRM Academy offer an apprenticeship opportunity for individuals to 'earn while you learn.' CHWTP and CPRM students must first complete their program with good standing and go through an interview process to be accepted. The apprenticeship benefits both the employer and the apprentice in many ways, from 1-1 mentorship to proven reduced turnover. In 2023, they have offered CHWTP to 101 people, and 15 individuals are currently going through their apprenticeships. They are working on extending their training to various groups and organizations. Recently, they have partnered with ACCESS to provide Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to the Dearborn Police Department. They are currently working on extending their MHFA training to teens.
