Project Summary:
Shortage of healthcare workers is one the greatest problems facing healthcare in the U.S. today, particularly in under-resourced and rural communities. According to the American Hospital Association, America will face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 and close to half of a million nurses by 2030. This problem does not spare the state of Wisconsin. The 2024 Wisconsin Health Care Workforce Report describes the current workforce gap as critical. This complex problem has multiple root causes, many of which are interrelated. Commonly cited issues include an aging population, burnout and high turnover, rigors of the medical profession, and a limited talent pipeline. Given that Wisconsin is among the 15 oldest states according to the US Census Bureau, our state is particularly susceptible to the “Silver Tsunami” which is associated with increased demand for healthcare services as well as increased worker retirement. As the shortage worsens, competition among employers for workers will increase so organizations can fill the necessary roles and keep operations functioning. Recruiting methods will target health professionals as well as pre-professionals, those who will be part of the next generation of a diverse healthcare workforce. To be successful, organizations must be creative and utilize tools to develop mentoring relationships with students when they first express an interest in healthcare, as early as high school.
The American Medical Pathway Honors Program (AMP) is a free social networking website and app for students interested in healthcare careers. AMP was founded by two Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) physicians with a vision to connect students to healthcare career resources and opportunities. Led by a group of content creators (“supermentors”) who are in the midst of their healthcare career journeys, AMP helps high school students discover the numerous rewarding healthcare careers, connect to near-peer mentors, and join a supportive digital community with a common purpose. This resource is open to anyone who has internet or phone access and can both benefit from and contribute to the community. To date, AMP membership growth has been word-of-mouth and through networking with teacher and healthcare workforce organizations at the state and national levels. With a current student and educator membership of about 1,500 (70% located in Wisconsin), AMP can also be used as a high school classroom supplement as well in conjunction with health career enrichment programs, such as HOSA.
HOSA is a global student-led organization with a mission to empower future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, experience, and competitions. HOSA has over 260,000 members among its 54 chartered associations. The chartered associations oversee HOSA chapters, most commonly administered as a high school program/club. HOSA’s primary source of funding is sponsors, including educational companies, educational institutions, and employers. Over the past two years, AMP has collaborated and partnered with Wisconsin HOSA, which has a membership of over 3,590 students from 125 chapters all throughout Wisconsin. Currently, HOSA (national) and Wisconsin HOSA do not have a social networking platform for their students.
In December 2023, a collaboration was initiated between AMP and the Community Engagement Office at Froedtert Health to create a series of health professional video interviews for the benefit of students in Wisconsin. AMP supermentors on-board Froedtert and MCW health professionals into the digital community and then interview them to highlight the amazing work that is being done within the system. Not only does this collaboration help address the impracticality of reviving a traditional shadowing program, it also leverages the strength of the organization’s educators and mentors in a format that is feasible for healthcare professionals, accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, and that fosters mentor-mentee relationships in our community.
The current one-year project proposal (Phase 2, to begin January 2025) will build upon a Community Outreach Steering Committee COSC Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital grant for Northeast Waukesha County. In close collaboration with Froedtert & MCW, Wisconsin HOSA, and Milwaukee Public Schools, Phase 2 will have a Wisconsin high school HOSA/interest group geographic expansion to include under-resourced rural and urban communities served by Froedtert & MCW. This project specifically focuses on developing students in under-resourced communities in Wisconsin by facilitating connections with peer, near-peer and professional mentors. Upon completion of this project, Phase 3 will expand to include all interested Wisconsin students/schools in communities that Froedtert & MCW serves.
Community Partners: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin HOSA - Future Health Professionals, Milwaukee Public Schools