Governor Gordon Brings Wyoming Into Multi-State Effort to Address Healthcare Worker Shortage

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon announced Tuesday that the state will be one of 14 states participating in a collaborative project to address workforce challenges in the healthcare industry, with a goal of growing and strengthening Wyoming’s healthcare workforce. The Next Generation of the Healthcare Workforce Learning Collaborative is a six-month project that is being launched by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices.

During the project, Governor’s offices and other senior state officials across health, education and workforce development agencies will join forces to develop innovative and evidence-based policies, programs and practices to strengthen an enduring healthcare workforce. In addition to the Governor’s office, the collaboration will include representation from the Wyoming Department of Health, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Department of Education. The University of Wyoming and the state’s community colleges will also take part in the effort, which aligns with the priorities outlined in the Governor’s Wyoming Innovation Partnership.

Gordon’s Health Task Force has been working to address nursing shortages through the use of traveling nurses early in the pandemic, as well as by using federal CARES and ARPA funding for recruitment and retention efforts. The Legislature recently approved additional funding for workforce issues in the health and human services area during the recent budget session. A series of virtual and in-person meetings will be held to develop and execute an action plan to achieve program and policy change based on state-identified goals. The Learning Collaborative will publish findings and recommendations later this year.