Arizona Health Care Leaders to Collaborate in Addressing Workforce Needs

In a collective effort, Arizona's healthcare leaders are joining forces for the upcoming 2024 Arizona Healthcare Workforce Summit. Themed "Continuing Connections and Pathways to Collaboration," the summit is set to take place on April 4-5, 2024, at ASU Sky Song in Scottsdale, AZ, is emerging as the cornerstone event for health care professionals, project leaders, and workforce partners.

Healthcare worker shortages and strategies to build up Arizona’s workforce will be a theme at this year’s summit with an emphasis on attendees collaborating to solve workforce needs. A Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute survey found that by 2030 Arizona will need more than 190,000 new direct care workers. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis predicts Arizona will have 28,100 fewer registered nurses than are needed in the state by 2025, a bigger disparity than in any other state in the country.

“The Arizona Healthcare Workforce Summit is more than an event; it's a call to action,” said Aaron Ball, Ed.D., Director of College & Career Pathways at Center for the Future of Arizona. “Aimed at advancing education, training, and the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in Arizona, the summit is a strategic platform for building career pathways, promoting economic mobility, and addressing the critical workforce needs of the state. With a focus on collaboration and utilizing an influx of funding for statewide health care workforce development, the summit promises to be a catalyst for impactful change.”

The Summit will include two days of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. Attendees can select one of three tracks and participate in focus sessions that cover Healthcare Workforce Partnerships; Nursing: Practice Readiness; and Community and Home-Based Care. Keynote speakers include:

• “Creating Coalitions to Strengthen and Advance the Healthcare Workforce... A Best Practice Strategy” with Amy Lloyd, Ed.L.D., Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) at the U.S. Department of Education
• “The Post-Pandemic Healthcare Workforce: Directions and Challenges” with Joanne Spetz, Ph.D., Director, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, Brenda and Jeffrey L. Kang Presidential Chair in Health Care Financing, Claire D. and Ralph G. Brindis Endowed Professor in Health Policy Studies, Director, UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care University of California, San Francisco
• “The Future of Healthcare Workforce Education in Arizona” with Ian Roark, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development & Innovation at Pima Community College

Presentations from leaders at Pipeline AZ, a statewide nonprofit organization powering a career-ready talent pipeline for Arizona’s economy, will also be on the agenda. In partnership with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Pipeline AZ launched the AZ Healthcare Careers platform in 2023 to guide students and job seekers to career exploration and job opportunities within Arizona’s health care field.

“AZ Healthcare Careers serves as the backbone for the collaborative work to be discussed at this year’s Arizona Healthcare Workforce Summit,” said Amber Smith, CEO of Pipeline AZ. “From entry-level positions to advanced roles, the platform provides important comprehensive support for career advancement and training within the Arizona health care sector.”

The Summit is made possible with the support of committee members from Center for the Future of Arizona, Banner Health Plans, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, Pipeline AZ, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

The Arizona Healthcare Workforce Summit invites all stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and interested individuals to join in the collective initiative. General admission is $125.00 per person. For more information visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-arizona-healthcare-workforce-summit-tickets-794461173757.

ABOUT THE ARIZONA HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION
AzHHA is the association giving Arizona hospitals a voice to collectively build better healthcare and health for Arizonans. As the champion for healthcare leadership in Arizona, AzHHA and its member hospitals explore ideas and take collaborative action at the state capitol, in hospitals and at home to attain the best healthcare outcomes for our community. Above all else, we put people and patients first through Better Care, Better Health and Lower Costs. Visit www.azhha.org for more information.

ABOUT PIPELINE AZ
Pipeline AZ is a statewide nonprofit organization with a powerful platform connecting existing workforce efforts by education, business and community partners across Arizona. The PipelineAZ.com platform enhances access and awareness to career exploration resources, empowering Arizonans to develop career readiness, guiding Arizonans at any stage in their education and careers, seamlessly guiding them through diverse career pathways, training programs, and job opportunities. With the steadfast support of the community, industry, and government partners, Pipeline AZ is pioneering a transformative movement of a true collective ecosystem. Together, Pipeline AZ and its partners are shaping Arizona’s workforce ecosystem where every individual has the tools and resources to thrive, contributing to the economic prosperity and growth of the state for many years to come. To learn more visit www.pipelineaz.com.

ABOUT CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ARIZONA
Center for the Future of Arizona is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through survey research & reports, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA leads impact initiatives and programs across the state and has deep and ongoing engagement in education, workforce development, and civic health, recognizing how essential these are to advancing economic prosperity, quality of life, and opportunity for all. Learn more at arizonafuture.org.