Health systems across the country have a current shortage of 3.2 million workers. In Minnesota, we have 15% to 25% vacancies in clinical roles and a staggering shortage of 7,000+ nurses by 2035. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of high school students are unsure about their educational and career direction–nearly twice as many from just a decade ago.
Students interested in healthcare often graduate without a clear understanding of career options, education pathways, or the realities of working in healthcare. At the same time, communities need a strong, local pipeline of future healthcare professionals.
Healthforce Pathways builds a bridge between healthcare communities and high schools by connecting students to real-world clinical environments, practical educational opportunities, and professional mentors. These experiences give students equitable access (regardless of their race or income level) the opportunity to experience and decide if a career in healthcare is right for them—before they embark on secondary education choices and costly tuition. And if they do, Healthforce Pathways helps them chart a path forward. Since Dr. Deb Dittberner and Eddie Reif co-founded the collaboration between Alexandria Area High School and Alomere Health in 2016, the model has proven successful with several students ultimately joining the health system in a variety of career roles. And a decade later, the investment is continuing to produce healthcare providers each year.
Eddie is a senior healthcare leader with over 15 years of experience in public relations, development, marketing, and provider recruitment. He has overseen the collaboration between Alexandria Area High School and their local health system from day one. Today, over a decade into the program, Eddie is welcoming graduates-turned-providers to his rural, West Central health system.
Currently Chief Medical Officer for Herself Health, Dr. Dittberner brings local, regional, and national leadership experience in community health with board positions with the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, American Hospital Association, Central Minnesota Health Network, and Alomere Health—while seeing patients as a family physician for nearly three decades.
A future where every student (regardless of race, location, or income level) has access to a clear, supported pathway into a healthcare career, and every community has a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce.
HealthForce Pathways exists to develop the future healthcare workforce by connecting students to real-world clinical experiences, professional mentorship, and clear pathways into meaningful healthcare careers.