Pathways to Careers in Health Care Initiative
Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI); Calvin College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Hope College; Aquinas College; Grand Rapids Public Schools; Trinity Health; Spectrum Health; University of Michigan Health-West; MSUCHM
Nonprofits
Healthcare Industry
Organizations Involved
Occupations Impacted
Students, general
Workforce Development Focus
Increasing number of healthcare workers
Workforce Issue Addressed
Addresses a barrier to going into a healthcare profession; attracting and training individuals to work in a healthcare profession
Description
The Pathways to Healthcare Careers program at Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) is a pipeline program that is designed to increase the representation of people of color in healthcare provider roles in West and Southwest Michigan. GRAAHI received a $400,000 planning grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for this program in 2017. The overall initiative has a K-12 student program that provides academic support and culturally-relevant healthcare mentors to students interested in becoming a healthcare professional and has a separate program for college students majoring in health sciences to provide mentoring, job coaching and networking.