Michigan Health Council

09/15/2025

Bringing a passion for workforce development and community impact, Angela Barksdale serves as Chief Operating Officer at West Michigan Works! and as a member at large of the MHC Board of Trustees.

Her leadership helps strengthen Michigan’s healthcare workforce by connecting employers with talent, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation across the state. We are grateful for her insight and dedication in advancing MHC’s mission.

Read more about Angela and her role on the MHC Board at

Angela R. Barksdale, MA, serves as Chief Operating Officer at West Michigan Works! and is a member at large of the MHC Board of Trustees. She recently shared her thoughts on what makes being part of the MHC board meaningful, and how it aligns with her work and professional goals.

09/12/2025

MHC Insight offers custom reporting services tailored to your organization’s unique challenges in healthcare education and workforce planning. From labor market trends to program completion data, our research helps organizations track progress, monitor compliance, and confidently plan for the future of clinical education.

Learn how we can help organizations leverage data to enhance clinical education at https://www.mhc.org/insight/acemapp

09/10/2025

Meet Katherine Frieden, our Research Associate!

Kate contributes to various projects and programs. Through MHC Insight, she researches and writes about healthcare workforce trends, manages the Mi-ELSiS grant program to expand school-based mental health providers, and supports MHC’s communications efforts.

Kate enjoys the cross-functional nature of her role, which allows her to collaborate with colleagues across the organization and brings a unique perspective to her work. She’s also the team’s go-to proofreader!

Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, whether walking in a new city or hiking a trail. In her free time, she also volunteers with Veggie Box at the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing.

09/08/2025

Today, we recognize the incredible impact Physical Therapists make every day as they help people regain strength, improve mobility, and live healthier, fuller lives. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and expertise in supporting recovery and well-being across our communities.
Learn more about this important profession at www.mhc.org/physical-therapists

09/05/2025

Michigan is tied for offering the fewest Behavioral Health Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses in the Midwest. However, it's important to note that each course we do offer plays an important role in preparing students for meaningful careers supporting patients and clients with mental and behavioral health needs. Learn more about the state of Michigan's Behavioral Healthcare workforce at mhc.org/bhreport

09/03/2025

According to the 2025 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index, Dentists are projected to face a surplus statewide over the next decade. However, many regions still struggle with shortages due to distribution issues, limiting access to care. This contrast underscores why it’s vital to tackle workforce challenges, even in professions that look “healthy” on paper.

08/29/2025

With a career devoted to supporting rural communities, Crystal brings valuable insight to MHC’s efforts to strengthen Michigan’s healthcare workforce. She helps shape strategies to address workforce shortages, expand training pathways, and ensure healthcare professionals are prepared to meet the needs of communities statewide.

Crystal Barter serves as Director of Programs and Services at Michigan Center for Rural Health and is a member at large of the MHC Board of Trustees. With a career devoted to supporting rural communities, Crystal brings a passion for strengthening the systems and people who provide care in Michigan....

08/28/2025

The 2025 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index identifies several occupations facing significant workforce challenges. Dental Assistants rank the lowest overall, with low rankings across growth, wages, shortages, and turnover. Other occupations, including Psychologists, Nursing Assistants, Home Health & Personal Care Aides, and Nuclear Medicine Technologists, also ranked low in specific variables, underscoring the need for investment and targeted strategies to strengthen these critical areas of Michigan’s healthcare workforce.

Learn more at https://www.mhc.org/index

08/27/2025

As the school year begins, it's the perfect time to inspire students to explore new career paths. Next Generation Health Careers Academy is a resource hub for K–12 educators, school counselors, and career advisors interested in introducing students to careers in healthcare. From career awareness to preparation, NGHCA is here to support the next generation of healthcare professionals. Discover resources today at www.nghca.org

08/26/2025

Michigan falls behind most U.S. states in overall workforce rankings for school-based behavioral health occupations. While the state performs relatively well in turnover, suggesting professionals tend to stay once hired, our report found significant challenges with other factors, such as growth.

Learn more about the state of Michigan's School Counselors, School Social Workers, and School Psychologists at www.mhc.org/bhreport

08/25/2025

Meet Samantha Pohl, our Assistant Director of Michigan HOSA!

Samantha brings energy and experience to everything she does. As a former HOSA student, she knows firsthand how impactful the organization can be, and now she helps create those same experiences for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

From organizing exciting events to watching students connect, grow, and have fun, one of her favorite parts of the role is just how enjoyable the work truly is. She emphasizes, “My job is very fun!”

This year, she’s especially enjoyed collaborating with other team members at MHC and is grateful for the support they bring to serve over 8,000 Michigan HOSA members across the state.

08/22/2025

Retaining healthcare employees means creating meaningful opportunities to grow. A perceived lack of career advancement opportunities is a top reason for dissatisfaction at work and turnover. Career development opportunities, such as employer-led career pathways, mentoring, and alternative work opportunities, can lead to increased job satisfaction and help organizations build a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce.

Discover more recruitment and retention strategies at mhc.org/workforce