Programs & Initiatives Update
Growing Partnerships, Stronger Pathways: Advancing New York’s Healthcare Education
Momentum continues to build across several regions as IHA’s Healthcare Educational Consortium (HEC) initiative advances, with new partnerships, pilot experiences, and growing visibility for the program.
The programs renewal announcement in February received strong media attention, including coverage by POLITICO Pro. This provided valuable national visibility and helped highlight the importance of building sustainable healthcare workforce pipelines through regional collaboration. Thanks to the renewed support from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, we look forward to continuing our efforts in building a healthier, more equitable New York.
On Wednesday, February 25, partners from the North Country gathered for an in-person meeting at Adirondack Health, bringing together key stakeholders including local high schools, guidance counselors, BOCES leaders, and representatives from North Country Community College. The meeting created an opportunity for thoughtful discussion and alignment across partners. Participants shared a clear regional vision and reaffirmed their collective commitment to expanding opportunities for students while addressing critical healthcare workforce needs. The collaboration also received local media attention by The Press-Republican, highlighting the region’s progress and partnership.
Meanwhile, the Tompkins County pilot site recently launched its first cohort of clinical rotations at Cayuga Medical Center. During the five-week shadowing experience, students rotate through five departments – Emergency Room, Maternity, Imaging, Laboratory, and Pharmacy – gaining exposure to the full patient journey and seeing firsthand how departments work together to deliver care. The program began with a dedicated preparation day to orient students to the healthcare environment and will conclude with a structured reflection session to help participants process their experiences and career interests. Early feedback has been positive, and additional insights from the pilot will be shared in the coming weeks.
The planning process continues for an additional pilot location.
Together, these developments demonstrate the growing momentum behind the initiative and the strong regional partnerships helping create meaningful pathways for students, while strengthening the future healthcare workforce.