Healthcare in California

California’s Central Valley faces healthcare workforce shortages at a much higher concentration than other California regions. These shortages include a significantly lower number of primary care and specialty physicians in comparison to the California statewide rates. In addition, although the unemployment numbers in the region are high, the Valley is lacking in an adequately prepared workforce to meet the increased skill demands needed in today’s health center post-healthcare reform.

To address these issues, CVHN partners with its member health centers on a variety of workforce development issues, including strengthening pipeline programs, connecting health centers to resources needed to up-skill their workforce, and supporting provider recruitment and retention efforts.

CVHN informs key stakeholders throughout the state on the workforce issues facing the Central Valley. To bring the necessary resources to the region, CVHN actively works with these key groups:

Connecting healthcare professionals at all levels to careers in community health is vital to improving the workforce landscape throughout the Central Valley. To support these efforts, CVHN partners with members on two initiatives:

  • Annual High School Healthcare Career Conferences, “Growing Health Leaders,” facilitated in multiple counties throughout the region   (Should we link on here to a page with pictures, etc. of past conferences?)
  • Leadership development and workforce innovation workshops presented in-person and via webinar to member organizations

As Federally Qualified Health Centers, a significant number of CVHN members operate sites in Health Professions Shortage Areas that qualify for loan repayment programs. These programs include: