At Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center (MWCHC), investing in people isn’t just a strategy, it’s part of the mission. With an innovative approach to workforce development, MWCHC has built a strong pipeline that not only attracts talent but inspires them to stay and grow within the organization.
A Commitment to Learning and Opportunity
MWCHC has long been committed to training the healthcare professionals of tomorrow. Their programs reach a broad range of learners—from high school students exploring healthcare careers to postgraduate residents ready to serve their communities.
Each year, MWCHC hosts student interns and trainees from colleges and universities across Tennessee. The health center partners with institutions including:
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center for the AEGD dental residency program
- Belmont University for pharmacy student rotations
- Various nursing and nurse practitioner programs across the state, including Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University
These partnerships create meaningful connections between education and practice, ensuring that future providers gain hands-on experience in a community-based setting.
“Health centers can play a significant role in introducing future clinical leaders to our work,” shares Katina Beard, CEO of MWCHC. “Our training programs are intended to strengthen clinical skills but also make sure individuals understand the importance of our role in the health care ecosystem.”
Creating Pathways for All
MWCHC’s workforce development efforts don’t stop with clinical training. The center is equally focused on opening doors for individuals who may not have traditional healthcare backgrounds.
Through a previous Workforce Development Program, supported by a grant from Bank of America, MWCHC offered an innovative pathway for those interested in entering the healthcare field. Designed for individuals without college degrees, the 6–8 week program covered everything from administrative and EHR training to soft skills, finance, and professional communication.
“It allowed people to get in with a high school education and learn what their skills were and where they might excel,” says Shatiqua Jamerson, Program and Events Manager at MWCHC. “They got to rotate to different departments to see where they might be a best fit, and either join the team or get a good reference.”
Growing Through Partnership
Building on that success, MWCHC recently launched a partnership with Nashville State Community College (NSCC) through the Ready to Reconnect program. This initiative creates a healthcare workforce pathway that provides clinical experience and job readiness for students pursuing medical assisting careers.
MWCHC served as the clinical site for NSCC’s first Medical Assistant (MA) cohort and proudly hired two graduates after their completion of the program.
“Highly trained medical assistants are important to the clinical operations of our sites,” Dr. Ida Michele Williams, CMO at MWCHC, shares. “Our partnership with NSCC is valuable to strengthening our workforce but also providing accessible training programs for the community.”
A Retention Model Rooted in Purpose
At its core, MWCHC’s success in retention comes from creating a culture of growth, support, and purpose. By developing clear pathways for advancement, they’re not just filling positions but building lasting careers.
MWCHC’s Director of Human Resources, Robin Dean, explains, “Retaining our workforce, upskilling our staff, and providing career ladders creates opportunities for individuals to grow professionally while maintaining the employees that are committed to our mission and values.”
As Tennessee’s health centers continue to face workforce challenges, MWCHC’s approach offers a model of what’s possible: when organizations invest in people, they invest in the future of community health.
Resources for Health Centers
- Want to learn more about MWCHC’s workforce programs? Contact Robin Dean, Director of Human Resources, at rdean@mwchc.com.
- Interested in exploring HR-related topics, exchanging ideas and strategies, and sharing practical solutions to common issues? Reach out to sade.sleet@tnpca.org for information on TPCA’s HR/Workforce Networking Group.
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