Donors Play Key Role in Developing Health Care Workforce
May 21, 2024
Denver Health empowers current and future caregivers through career development and student support
Since 1860, Denver Health has stood as a pillar of stability and service in Denver and today is one of the city’s largest employers. Each year, hundreds of students at all levels of education and training matriculate through Denver Health, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the community. Career opportunities within the health system span traditional medical roles—such as doctors, nurses, and paramedics—as well as IT, administration, facilities, and support services. This extensive workforce plays a critical role in the city’s infrastructure, ensuring Denver Health’s deep integration into daily life and its commitment to the health and well-being of all residents.
Workforce development is a key priority at Denver Health. Denver Health Foundation supports various programs that provide training, education, and professional development across multiple disciplines. These initiatives are designed to boost the skills and knowledge of Denver Health’s current and prospective staff, significantly enhancing patient care and service delivery.
Recently, The Colorado Health Foundation and The Kenneth King Foundation, steadfast supporters of Denver Health Foundation, have awarded grants to expand access to health care careers. These grants will help young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, enter medical professions and provide essential support to community members who lack the financial means to pursue careers in dental care.
Denver Health is the heart of our city
Denver Health is the primary health care provider for many in Denver, especially those facing economic challenges. Denver Health Pediatrics at Denver Public Schools operates 19 health centers in Denver Public Schools (DPS), serving more than 15,000 students annually with medical care, mental and behavioral health support, and dental care. These School-based Health Centers (SBHCs) focus on helping all students and are especially important for those impacted by poverty or other barriers to health care.
Denver Health provides essential health services and plays a key role in inspiring future health care professionals. Through its partnership with DPS and the on-site SBHCs, Denver Health offers students firsthand insights into medical careers. This connection helps encourage students who might not have considered health care due to cultural or economic barriers.
Tara Melinkovich, MPH, Youth Engagement Program Manager for Denver Health Pediatrics at Denver Public Schools, emphasizes the significance of the longstanding partnership between the health system and DPS that began in 1987.
“Our School-based Health Centers, located within Denver Public School buildings, foster close relationships between staff and students. Many students inquire about careers in the medical field,” she said. “Our aim is to fill positions in these fields and foster upward mobility within our organization. Evidence shows that by hiring from the communities we serve, we can provide better medical care to our patients.”
Launching careers in health care
The Health Career Entry Program (HCEP), supported by The Colorado Health Foundation, is transforming career paths for Denver high school students, especially those not immediately pursuing a four-year college degree. Through its established partnership with DPS, HCEP provides a direct pathway into health care careers, focusing on crucial entry-level jobs that offer immediate employment opportunities.
Students participating in HCEP can explore roles such as Medical Assistant, Patient Access Specialist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant in addition to other positions throughout the Denver Health network, The program hires students immediately following high school graduation, allowing them to shadow health care professionals, gaining essential real-world experience and insights into the health care environment.
HCEP Trainees receive instruction as patient access specialists and are assigned to an SBHC to assist with front office tasks, such as registering and rooming patients. They also shadow and learn from all SBHC staff members. Each trainee is paired with a Medical Assistant mentor and receives a competitive hourly wage during this period.
“This program provides young people with opportunities to work while they figure things out,” explained Dr. Margaret Tomcho, Chair of Pre-Health Programs at Denver Health. “Investing in our own community members as future staff can significantly enhance equity outcomes and strengthen our community ties. By demonstrating our commitment to investing in youth, we’re setting a positive precedent for the future.”
HCEP equips students with critical health care skills and builds a pathway of trained professionals ready to meet the needs of the local health care system. By fostering early hands-on training, Denver Health ensures that students are well-prepared to join the workforce and excel in high-demand careers, boosting job prospects for young individuals and addressing critical workforce needs within the Denver community.
Financial support for dental students
Oral health is a vital yet often overlooked component of public health, especially in underserved communities. Denver Health is actively working to eliminate barriers to dental care arising from economic constraints, lack of insurance, and geographic challenges. These barriers restrict access to necessary dental services and pose significant hurdles for those aspiring to enter the dental workforce.
To cultivate a diverse dental workforce, Denver Health focuses on affordability, helping students overcome financial barriers. This strategy ensures that dental practitioners reflect the demographics of the communities they serve, improving trust and communication between patients and providers. This leads to more personalized and culturally competent care, promoting regular dental visits and significantly advancing long-term health equity.
Recently, Denver Health Foundation received a grant from The Kenneth King Foundation to provide stipends for students in the Denver Health Dental Assistant Program. This funding increases the resources available to students, offering crucial support and services essential for their success in training and their future careers. By covering the living expenses of students who are unable to work while studying, this grant removes a major financial barrier, enhancing enrollment and retention in the program.
Dr. Duane Mata, Chair of Dentistry at Denver Health, is committed to simplifying access to education for dental care students.
“Increasing the diversity of health care providers and workers would enhance culturally competent care which leads to improved health outcomes especially for underrepresented minority populations,” he said. “The dental department has taken a bold approach to creating pipelines which intentionally increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority oral health care providers and workers.”
Philanthropy drives progress
Philanthropy plays a transformative role in workforce development at Denver Health, significantly enhancing its ability to train and integrate a diverse workforce. Strategic investments allow Denver Health to provide resources for students and culturally competent care reflective of the community it serves, strengthening its essential role in the lives of Denverites.
Supporters such as The Colorado Health Foundation and The Kenneth King Foundation are crucial to this success. Their contributions boost Denver Health’s capacity to train a workforce that mirrors the community’s diversity, emphasizing a strong commitment to improving community health outcomes and creating economic opportunities in the health care sector.
Crystal Potter Rivera, Denver Health Foundation Executive Director, underscores the importance of donor support for workforce development initiatives.
“We are deeply committed to the community we serve. Our partners’ generosity enables us to prepare a new generation of health care professionals,” she said. “It’s about empowering those who might not otherwise consider health care careers, leading to better care for everyone.”
Invest in Denver’s health and the future of our health care workforce. To make a gift, contact Director of Philanthropy Megan Fisher at Megan.Fisher@dhha.org or visit our donation page.