Addressing Texas’ Healthcare Workforce Shortage
The launch comes at a critical moment for the state, as Texas faces a convergence of healthcare challenges, including rapid population growth, provider shortages and an aging population. According to the Texas Hospital Association, 64% of hospitals were operating with fewer beds and reduced services due to lack of staff.
UH Health is helping address these needs by expanding the pipeline of healthcare professionals. Beyond increasing the capacity of graduates, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, optometrists and other healthcare professionals, UH Health is ensuring graduates are workforce ready.
“Preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our state,” McCullers said. “UH Health is ensuring our graduates are equipped to work effectively in today’s complex healthcare environment.”
“UH Health is ensuring our graduates are equipped to work effectively in today’s complex healthcare environment.”Dr. Jonathan McCullers
Located minutes from the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, UH is uniquely positioned to offer students unparalleled access to leading hospitals, research institutions and clinical training environments. Through partnerships with HCA Healthcare, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center and other TMC institutions, UH Health students, faculty and researchers are given access to opportunities few universities can match.
“The Texas Medical Center gives UH Health a tremendous advantage because collaboration is built into the environment around us,” McCullers said. “By working alongside world-class hospitals, research institutions and industry partners, we can create opportunities and impact that would be difficult to achieve anywhere else.”