Building the pipeline for tomorrow’s healthcare professionals
Grow Our Own:
a strategy to increase the healthcare workforce in Montana
The healthcare workforce in Montana is experiencing shortages and significant maldistribution of
professionals throughout the state. As healthcare needs grow at a rapid pace, the workforce required to
address that need may not be available, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The Montana Area
Health Education Centers (AHECs), along with the Office of Public Instruction, the Office of the
Commission of Higher Education, and numerous other collaborative partners, are committed to build
the healthcare workforce pipeline. Encouraging young people to excel in math and science, explore
healthcare careers, enter Montana health professions education and receive clinical education in rural
communities pays off in future physicians, nurses and allied health professionals.
The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program was established by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train
and retain a health professional workforce committed to rural and underserved populations. In
Montana, there is a central Program Office (at MSU in Bozeman) and four Regional Centers: Eastern MT
AHEC in Billings, Western MT AHEC in Missoula, South Central MT AHEC in Dillon and North Central MT
AHEC in Fairfield. Each region develops workforce strategies that are specific to their populations and
areas of the state.
The Montana AHEC has made a major commitment to our collaboration with the Office of Public
Instruction (OPI). A specific Health Science Specialist from OPI is housed at the Bozeman AHEC Office
and works closely with all regional AHECs. A major focus of the AHEC/Office of Public Instruction
partnership has been implementation of Health Science programs in high schools throughout the state.
The Big Sky Health Science Career Pathway offers a recommended four-year high school course outline
with an emphasis on science and mathematics courses. Students will be well-prepared with a solid
foundation in the required knowledge and skills that lead to entry level employment and/or further
education in medical fields. Currently, 36 teachers have been trained and 30 high schools throughout
Montana (out of 176 public high schools) offer health science programs. Student participation has
nearly tripled since the first courses were offered: 539 students participated in the 2005-2006 school
year, while 1571 students participated in the 2011-12 school year. The Health Science Specialist also
works closely with the Office of the Commission of Higher Education to assure that high school coursework articulates with post-secondary requirements at both the two- and four-year program level.
MT AHECs also work with students in K-12 via these programs….
The Great Hospital Adventure: a puppet show for K-3rd grade students about healthcare careers and
healthy lifestyles. The puppet show is often presented by local HOSA students. During the 2010-2011
school year, 78 schools participated in the Great Hospital Adventure—reaching a total of 3410 students.
Hands on Health: an interactive multimedia program about healthcare careers and healthy behaviors
for young learners. Developed by Western MT AHEC, SpectrUM Discovery Area (at the University of
Montana) and funded through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Hands on Health served 6031
students in the 2010-11 school year, including 1645 American Indian students from eight Tribal
communities.
In-a-Box Curriculum Series: Covering the body systems of eye, ear, brain, guts, and bones and muscles,
these self-contained boxes are available for loan to educators for grades 4-8. Included in the box are
lesson plans, station activities, models and other resources designed to engage students in health and
science. The Western MT AHEC is developing Nutrition In-A-Box which will address heart anatomy, food
label literacy, media and diet, traditional Montana Native American foods, and “You Are the Dietician.”
An Oral Health module is also being developed.
REACH Camps: Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare is a one-day camp which takes
place at the local healthcare facility. REACH provides high school students with the opportunity to
explore many healthcare fields through a variety of hands-on stations and activities. Professionals from
the sponsoring healthcare facility lead the stations, volunteering their time and talent to mentor
students and share their expertise. In 2011, the MT AHECs reached out to 2679 students, parents and
teachers at REACH Camps. For the first half of 2012, over 1400 participants have been involved in
REACH activities.
HOSA—Future Health Professionals: Health Science students are encouraged to participate in HOSA—
Future Health Professionals. This organization allows students an opportunity to explore health careers
while building relevant clinical leadership and teamwork skills. The State HOSA Advisor is housed at the
South Central AHEC. All MT regional AHECs partner with their local HOSA chapters and support students
at the state and national conferences.
MedStart Camp: A free AHEC funded program designed to encourage incoming junior and senior high
school students to pursue their interest in a variety of healthcare careers. The aim of MedStart is to
provide rural, disadvantaged / minority, low income and first generation college students with an
opportunity to further explore healthcare careers, learn about college life, and realize the possibility to
pursue higher education. Students often think of healthcare as including only “doctors and nurses” -MedStart tries to break down that stereotype by educating students on the large variety of high skill,
high paid, high demand careers available in the healthcare industry. The week-long program, held on a
college campus, includes:





Hands on healthcare activities such as sheep heart dissection, blood typing, suturing on pig’s
feet, casting, and taking blood pressures.
Shadowing with health professionals
Medical tours and symposia
College support sessions on financial aid, admissions and college life
Recreation and social activities
After camp each regional AHEC office matches the MedStart student with a healthcare professional
from their hometown in the hopes of establishing a mentor/mentee relationship and continuing the job
shadowing process. The 2010 camp hosted 30 students, while 76 students participated in 2011. In
2012, each of the four AHEC regions hosted a MedStart camp (held in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula and
Great Falls) with a total impact of 114 students.
Additional Resources:

Pathways to Health Careers in Montana: Brochure listing post-secondary education
opportunities in healthcare careers at Montana colleges and universities. Includes information
for certificate as well as associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs. Brochure is
widely distributed to high school students throughout the state.

Pathways to Oral Health Careers for Montana: similar to the Pathways brochure listed above,
this oral health specific brochure lists regional options for oral health occupations.

Newsletters: The K-12 Health Science Connection E-newsletter is disseminated monthly to
educators through the MT AHECs. Newsletters provide resources and lesson plan ideas for
teachers, administrators, counselors and students related to health science education.