Michigan Health Council

03/01/2026

This month, we recognize Athletic Trainers, healthcare professionals who prevent, assess, and treat injuries and help people safely recover and perform. We appreciate your dedication to keeping everyone healthy and active!

02/27/2026

Support future health professionals with Career Navigator Guides.🩺
Designed for school counselors and career professionals working with high school students, these free guides provide a clear framework to help students explore behavioral health careers, including Social Work, Counseling, and Psychology.

Download the guides at www.mhc.org/career-guides

02/26/2026

Gain insights that matter! MHC Insight offers ACEMAPP members custom research on clinical education trends, workforce data, and more, tailored to your organization's unique needs. Learn more at www.mhc.org/insight/acemapp

02/25/2026

Michigan ranks among the lowest states in preparing students for Behavioral Health careers, with limited behavioral health Career & Technical Education (CTE) opportunities and a Counselor, Psychologist, and Social Worker-to-student ratio in Michigan that is two to three times higher than national recommendations.

Strengthening awareness, expanding CTE pathways, and creating clearer entry points into Behavioral Health careers can help introduce more students to these critical professions and ensure every community has access to the support it needs.

Michigan is tied for the fewest behavioral health vocational training programs in the nation, contributing to a school mental health workforce shortage.

02/25/2026

We were glad to attend this year's Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, where nonprofit leaders from across Michigan shared ideas, collaborated, and strengthened the impact of nonprofits statewide. Thanks to the Michigan Nonprofit Association for hosting a great event!

02/24/2026

Retaining health care workers is just as important as recruiting them. Organizations across Michigan are implementing innovative strategies to retain employees and support high-quality care across communities.

Retaining folks working within the health care sector is a vital strategy in turning around current and projected workforce shortages.

02/23/2026

Michigan’s behavioral health workforce shortage isn’t just a healthcare issue — it’s a pipeline issue.

Our newest report highlights how expanding Career & Technical Education (CTE) opportunities can help Michigan build stronger pathways into behavioral health careers, increase early exposure for students, and grow the workforce communities urgently need.

Michigan currently offers just two behavioral health CTE programs, which is the fewest among Midwest states and tied with four other states for the fewest in the country.

Strengthening CTE programs can help:
✅ Introduce students to behavioral health careers sooner
✅ Create clearer education-to-career pathways
✅ Support long-term workforce sustainability across the state

Read the full report and explore the recommendations:

Report offers concrete strategies to grow the state's behavioral health workforce pipeline through Career and Technical Education programs and coursesCONTACT: Ana HornburgMichigan Health Councilana.hornburg@mhc.org (517) 908-8229OKEMOS, Mich.—(Feb. 23, 2026)—Michigan is among the worst states in...

02/20/2026

Dr. Stephen Murata, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, shares his experience in the MIDOCs program and why it plays such a vital role in supporting future physicians. After MIDOCs, Dr. Murata chose to stay and serve right here in Michigan, making a lasting impact on our communities.

02/19/2026

The demand for behavioral health professionals is growing, and now is the time to inspire students to explore these meaningful careers.

Join us on March 19, 2026, for a Virtual Behavioral Health Career Day, connecting students across Michigan with real-world career pathways in behavioral health. Learn more about this event and sign up at www.mhc.org/bhday

02/11/2026

Behind every Michigan HOSA competition are dedicated volunteer judges. No prior experience is needed, just adults interested in supporting Michigan's future health professionals! Learn more and sign up as a judge volunteer at www.michiganhosa.org/judge

02/11/2026

There’s still time to participate in the 2026 Nurse Licensure Survey, administered by the Office of Nursing Programs! Your feedback plays an important role in shaping programs, policies, and resources that support Michigan’s nursing workforce. Visit surveymonkey.com/r/MiNurse2026 to take the survey.

02/10/2026

Access to healthcare can be limited in many communities across Michigan. MIDOCs helps address this by expanding medical residency positions to recruit and retain physicians where they’re needed most. Learn more at michigandocs.org