Regional Alliances Map > Northwest Workforce Development Area (WDA) Regional Efforts
Northwest WDA Regional Efforts
Healthcare Workforce Network (HWN)
Website
http://www.nwcep.org/healthcare/default.htm
An electronic newsletter is distributed monthly to provide current and on-going information to HWN members.
Region Covered
The Healthcare Workforce Network serves the area of northwest Wisconsin which includes the counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Sawyer, Rusk, Taylor, Price, Burnett, Washburn, and Douglas.
Mission/Purpose
The Healthcare Workforce Network’s mission is collaboration between rural health care institutions and the One Stop Job Center System to increase the supply of new health care professionals and to increase the retention of incumbent professionals by pooling financial, material, and human resources.
Goals
HWN goals are focused on the following issues: recruitment and retention, skill development, capacity of education and training providers, developing a sustainable workforce focusing on leadership, policy, and infrastructure, and meeting or exceeding all grant requirements and standards.
Leadership
Nancy Brede, Director.
Membership
Forty-five members to date which includes acute care, long term care, public health, Indian Health Services, clinics, home health, and community service agencies.
Charter Members
Burnett Medical Center, Grantsburg, Wisconsin; Flambeau Hospital, Park Falls Wisconsin; Memorial Health Center, Medford, Wisconsin; and Memorial Medical Center, Ashland, Wisconsin.
Funding
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration has funded a grant to establish the ongoing, collaborative relationship of the network. Donations of time, facilities, and equipment are provided by member agencies.
Schedule of Meetings
The network meets quarterly.
Highlights
Recently, a video entitled, Finding Your Career in Health Care, was created to target middle and high school students that emphasize course preparation for health care career opportunities in northern Wisconsin.
Another HWN effort, in partnership with Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Savant Technologies, is to provide live broadcasts of health care satellite training for in-services, competencies and continuing education.
This alternative education model is to provide other learning options for workers interested in a career in health care or for those already in health care occupations that need additional training.
