The Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) was featured in a Press-Republican article for last week’s Healthcare Educational Consortium meeting where IHA, along with education and health care leaders from across the North Country, gathered at the Adirondack Medical Center to explore the development of an Early College Health Sciences pathway tailored to the Adirondack region. This initiative is part of a broader effort led by IHA’s Healthcare Educational Consortium, supported by renewed funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
The program aims to strengthen the local health care workforce by allowing high school students to earn college credits, gain clinical experience and connect with regional employers. Most coursework would occur in students’ home districts with added instruction from college faculty. Local stakeholders discussed how the model could complement existing programs, address workforce shortages and reflect regional needs, emphasizing collaboration among schools, colleges, BOCES, and Adirondack Health. Planning continues as leaders work to design a pathway that supports students, aligns with current offerings and strengthens long‑term workforce development.