Utah hospitals are actively investing in the healthcare workforce through innovative education and career development programs.
Why it matters
The healthcare industry faces ongoing staffing challenges. Utah’s hospital systems are addressing this by creating pathways to help aspiring healthcare workers overcome barriers to entry and advancement.
By the numbers
- University of Utah Health supports the Proxima Careers program. Over 170 scholars participated, 47 participants have completed their training, 14 graduates are now employed in healthcare careers (6 at University of Utah Health)
- More than 100 caregivers funded to pursue advanced degrees through Intermountain’s PEAK program
Breaking down barriers
Proxima Careers helps to address social determinants that prevent qualified candidates from entering healthcare professions.
The program provides career navigators who help participants overcome obstacles on their path to healthcare employment.
Growing from within
Intermountain Health focuses on developing their existing workforce through educational support.
“We have a program we call the PEAK program which is a pathway for them to gain education and grow their careers.” — Susan Robel, Canyon Regions Pres., Intermountain Healthcare
Strategic educational partnerships
CommonSpirit Health is creating educational pipelines through collaborations with regional institutions.
“We look for partnerships with organizations in the community. For example, Grand Canyon University where we have a partnership around their nursing program to help develop the pipeline of students for nursing… We’ve also partnered with BYU around their community health social workers and doing an internship with BYU for students who are going into that program.” — Jeremy Bradshaw, CommonSpirit Utah Market President
The bottom line
Utah’s hospital systems recognize their role in developing tomorrow’s healthcare workforce through innovative programs that combine community partnerships, financial support, and personalized guidance.
“We see it as our mission and our role within the state of Utah and the region and as an academic teaching institution to be able to provide those services, be able to educate the learners, to bring up the next generation of caregivers.” — Charlton Park, CFO University of Utah Health