By Zuleyka Hernandez
The Healthcare Workforce Crisis
The U.S. healthcare system is facing a severe workforce crisis with pressing shortages of nurses, physicians, and behavioral health professionals. As healthcare demand grows—driven by an aging population—the ability to provide care is strained. By 2034, the country could be short by as many as 124,000 physicians (AAMC). These shortages disproportionately affect underrepresented and underserved populations, who already face significant barriers to accessing care. Despite the diversity of the communities they serve, fewer than 15% of executive and board member roles in U.S. hospitals are held by people of color (Modern Healthcare). Additionally, issues like burnout, job dissatisfaction, and inadequate training opportunities are exacerbating the crisis, leading to high turnover rates among healthcare professionals.
Future-Proofing the Workforce
Addressing workforce challenges requires more than just filling vacancies—it demands innovative approaches that build a diverse, adaptable, and future-ready workforce. Technological advancements, shifting industry demands, and a heightened focus on health equity require professionals who are well-versed in modern tools, practices, and trends.
Health Career Connection (HCC) is addressing health workforce issues by developing a diverse pipeline of future healthcare leaders. Students and alumni, through hands-on internships and mentorship, are uniquely equipped to enter the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in today’s complex healthcare environment. This approach combines leadership development with real-world experience, enabling emerging health professionals to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape while understanding the broader context of healthcare challenges.
A commitment to addressing population health needs promotes a better understanding of local, regional, and national demands, including community health and social determinants of health. This alignment ensures that recruitment and training efforts effectively prepare the future workforce to meet these critical challenges head-on. Together, these initiatives create a comprehensive strategy for building a workforce that is not only skilled but also responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
Partnering to Solve Workforce Challenges
Bringing together diverse stakeholders, including healthcare providers, educational institutions, alumni networks, and other health-related organizations, HCC serves as a vital connector within the healthcare ecosystem. Our role involves facilitating collaboration and resource sharing to create innovative solutions that address workforce challenges. We encourage partnerships that lead to continued education programming, collaborative research projects, and the advocacy necessary to drive policy changes serving the underserved.
Our partnerships with over 300 organizations across 13 U.S. regions, including Kaiser Permanente, University of California San Francisco, Sutter Health, The National Association of Health Services Executives, and many other public health and behavioral health organizations, help build a workforce pipeline that reflects the communities we serve. These collaborations empower organizations to recruit diverse talent and create sustainable pathways for skilled professionals. About 71% of all HCC interns transition into extended internships or full-time roles with their host organizations, providing a long-term solution to staffing challenges.
Building Future Healthcare Leaders
The commitment to addressing health workforce challenges must go beyond workforce entry. HCC is dedicated to developing future healthcare leaders—those who will drive systemic change to address health inequities. Along with fostering partnerships, we encourage our 5,400 alumni to take on leadership roles in professional organizations like CAHL or ACHE, where they can shape the future of the industry. By working collectively across healthcare settings, we can amplify our impact and prepare the next generation to lead effectively.
Alumni networks play a crucial role in mentorship, enhancing relationships, and providing career training that improves job satisfaction and reduces turnover. A strong alumni network allows employers to draw upon skilled individuals, creating opportunities for both parties. By fostering collaboration among health organizations, health professionals, and health training programs, we can collectively address workforce challenges and better meet community needs. Networking opportunities can enhance connections among students, alumni, and employers, fostering relationships that support career development and job placement.
While HCC is one solution to addressing workforce shortages, collective action is essential to making a broader impact. Whether through leadership development, mentoring programs, or collaborative workforce initiatives, healthcare organizations have the power to reshape the future of care.
A Shared Vision for the Future
HCC is excited to continue working with our partners to address the healthcare workforce crisis. Together, we can ensure that students from underrepresented backgrounds pursue their authentic health careers, leading to a more equitable and inclusive health workforce.
We invite you to save the date for our Year-End Celebration on December 5th, where we will reflect on our shared successes and look ahead to new opportunities in 2025.
For over 33 years, Health Career Connection (HCC) has helped health employers reach their workforce diversity goals. In addition to workforce diversity coaching and support, HCC manages a robust internship program with over 5,000 alumni. Partnering with HCC makes it easy to recruit and manage talented, diverse undergraduate students from communities underrepresented in healthcare — at the local and national levels.