Iroquois Healthcare>IHA Healthcare Education Consortium (HEC)

IROQUOIS HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION (IHA) HEALTHCARE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM (HEC)

 
The Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) Healthcare Education Consortium (HEC) is a grant-funded initiative designed to address critical healthcare workforce shortages across Upstate New York by building a sustainable, locally driven talent pipeline.

 

Program Overview

Through the successful model developed by Oswego Health, the Consortium integrates Early College in High School (ECHS) programming with healthcare systems to provide students with:
  • Career exploration and exposure to healthcare professions
  • Structured job shadowing and internship opportunities
  • Early college coursework aligned with healthcare pathways
  • Direct connections to employment opportunities within local health systems
This model creates a seamless transition from education to employment, preparing students for in-demand healthcare careers while supporting workforce stability for IHA member hospitals.
 

Expansion Through Grant Support

With funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for Calendar Years 2025–2026, IHA has expanded this model into three regional pilot sites across Upstate New York:
  • Tompkins County
  • Essex/Franklin Counties
  • Warren County
Each pilot site replicates the core components of the Oswego model while adapting to local workforce needs, educational partners, and community context.
 

Core Program Components

  • Early College Pathways: High school students earn college credits aligned with healthcare careers
  • Healthcare System Partnerships: Direct engagement with local hospitals and providers
  • Work-Based Learning: Internships, job shadowing, and hands-on clinical exposure
  • Career Development: Mentorship, career navigation, and job readiness training
  • Employment Pipeline: Clear pathways to entry-level healthcare positions upon graduation

Impact & Goals

The Healthcare Education Consortium aims to:
  • Strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline in underserved regions
  • Increase student awareness and interest in healthcare careers
  • Improve recruitment and retention for IHA member hospitals
  • Create scalable, replicable workforce models across New York State
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Resources

Additional materials related to the initiative include: