Michigan Health Council

04/16/2026

Michigan has an opportunity to strengthen pathways into behavioral health careers by better supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

By using incentive-based models that recognize schools and educators for helping students earn industry-recognized credentials, Michigan could expand access to high-quality training in high-demand fields like behavioral health.

States like North Carolina, Florida, and Texas already show how aligning incentives with workforce needs can expand student opportunity and strengthen pipelines. Learn more at www.mhc.org/bh-cte

04/15/2026

When fully implemented, MIDOCs participating schools will be able to support 48 new Physicians per year practicing in underserved communities across Michigan. The program provides residency training designed to prepare Physicians for work in these areas, and graduates are more likely to continue serving in underserved communities after completing their training. Learn more at www.michigandocs.org/

04/13/2026

URGENT: Statewide Survey of Michigan Dentists and Dental Hygienists 🥼🦷

Attention Dental Professionals! 📣 The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services's Oral Health Program and Michigan Health Council are currently surveying licensed Dentists and Dental Hygienists about future employment plans to better understand the current supply and distribution of oral health providers across the state. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey so we can support Michiganders’ access to oral health care in the future.

👉 The survey was sent by Dr. Karalyn Kiessling to the email associated with your licensure and closes on Tuesday, April 21st. 📩

04/13/2026

The Michigan HOSA State Leadership Conference is only a few days away! Get ready to showcase your skills, have a little fun, and celebrate all your hard work. Good luck to everyone competing this week, and a huge thank you to our event staff working behind the scenes to bring this conference to life. We'll see you soon!

04/13/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Andrea Wendling for being named to the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council! Dr. Wendling is Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, practices family medicine at Munson Healthcare Boyne Area Health Center, and serves as a board member. This is a valuable opportunity for her to continue strengthening Michigan’s rural Physician workforce and expanding access to care in underserved communities across the state. Read more at www.mafp.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=664:dr--andrea-wendling-named-to-rural-health-transformation-program-advisory-council

04/09/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Eleanor King for being named the 2026 Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year by the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians! As Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Wayne State, a participating program, Dr. King is deeply committed to residency education, resident wellness, and community-focused primary care. Her dedication to the MIDOCs program helps us continue our work to improve access to care across Michigan.

Keywords: Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Family Medicine, Dr. Eleanor King, Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award, medical education,

04/08/2026

Although Michigan has only two primary Behavioral Health CTE pathways, the state offers 7 industry-recognized credentials within them, ranking third in the Midwest behind Indiana and Ohio.

Most of Michigan’s credentials focus on Child or Youth Development and provide limited training in broader Behavioral Health skills. Neighboring states like Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin offer both occupational and theory-based credentials, providing a more diverse range of pathways into Behavioral Health. Expanding Michigan’s offerings could help strengthen the workforce, broaden career pathways, and improve access to care.

Learn more at mhc.org/bh-cte

04/07/2026

Michigan Dentists and Dental Hygienists can help shape the future of oral healthcare by taking a short survey!🦷🪥

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Oral Health Program and Michigan Health Council are gathering insights on workforce plans to better understand where oral health providers are practicing and needed across the state.

Check the email associated with your licensure for the survey. It only takes a few minutes and closes on Tuesday, April 21st.

04/02/2026

EMT professionals are essential to communities across Michigan, yet workforce shortages and financial pressures continue to impact agencies statewide.

According to our 2025 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index, EMT professionals rank as the least healthy medical technician profession in the state, highlighting the urgent need for support.

These challenges also highlight opportunities to expand training programs, improve recruitment, and strengthen Michigan's EMT workforce.

Paramedics and EMTs regularly handle the state’s worst medical traumas and receive wages similar to fast-food workers. Even with state assistance to promote workforce development, gaps remain.

04/02/2026

Nearly every county in Michigan is experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians, impacting access to care in both rural and urban communities. Limited access means longer wait times, increased travel, and delayed treatment that can lead to more serious health outcomes.

Ensuring access to care starts with strengthening the healthcare workforce pipeline and supporting future providers.

Most Michigan counties are experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians as medical school grads opt for better-paying specialties. The long-time shortage has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural areas are especially hard hit. A Michigan State Medical Society board member from New Baltim...

04/01/2026

Occupational Therapists help individuals regain independence and improve quality of life after injury, illness, or disability. They assess physical, emotional, and social needs to create personalized treatment plans that help patients perform everyday tasks. With job demand for Occupational Therapists steadily increasing since November 2023, now is a great time to explore this rewarding career.

Learn more about this occupation during Occupational Therapist month at www.mhc.org/ots

03/31/2026

Michigan HOSA alumni are giving back in a big way by returning as judges to support competitions and help students explore healthcare careers. Having once been competitors themselves, they bring valuable perspective and insight as they support students along their journey. Read more below.

Michigan HOSA’s competitive events require judges to help recognize the best of the best among Michigan’s health science students. With over 9,000 members (and counting), Michigan HOSA hosts a total of eleven regional and state-level conferences so that every student has an opportunity to compet...