PWG1 - Train, Recruit, Retain, Deliver: Workforce Solutions with Proven Results Over 4 Years

Session Description: In the face of increasing healthcare challenges—aging populations, youth outmigration, and limited local educational access—NEW Health, a federally qualified health center serving Northeast Washington since 1978, has emerged as a national leader in workforce development. This session explores the transformative impact of NEW Health University; an internal workforce development initiative launched in August 2021.

Through strategic investment NEW Health has stabilized clinic operations, enhanced employee retention, and created meaningful career pathways to leverage local talent markets to meet workforce needs. NEW Health was recognized by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the Washington State Department of Health as a top youth workforce program. ECRI, a HRSA-funded entity, engaged with NEW Health University to improve to highlight clinical competency tools that mitigate patient risk and improve patient safety. NEW Health University has trained healthcare organizations across ten states and the Montana Primary Care Association (MPCA) states, “NEW Health University’s workforce development materials have become the most downloaded resources in our library—demonstrating their value and relevance to health centers across Montana.” Named one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest in both 2023 and 2025, NEW Health exemplifies how health centers can become both employers and providers of choice.

Attendees will gain insights into the program’s design, implementation, and measurable outcomes, and leave with identified opportunities to improve their workforce strategies.