Governor’s visit spotlights NAU’s progress in curbing the healthcare worker shortage | The NAU Review
On Friday, Aug. 8, leaders at Northern Arizona University met with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a proud Lumberjack alumna, to discuss how the university and the governor’s office can work together to fill critical healthcare gaps in the state, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Gov. Hobbs’ visit to NAU was part of a three-day Arizona Promise Tour that took her to multiple cities across the state, from Flagstaff to Phoenix to Tucson to Nogales.
“It’s a top priority for me as governor to address shortages in Arizona’s healthcare workforce,” Gov. Hobbs said. “NAU is a leading partner in this work, and their focus on high-demand programs in nursing, health professions and behavioral health—and on the specific needs of our state’s urban, rural and Tribal communities—is making a real difference and preparing talented health professionals who can best serve Arizona in the future.”
In a roundtable discussion with the governor, university leaders—including NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera and Provost Karen Pugliesi—detailed NAU’s robust physical and behavioral health education programs that are expanding opportunity throughout the state. As NAU seeks to double the number of graduates in health-related fields by 2030 to meet the state’s growing demand, the university is emphasizing accessible, affordable pathways and training individuals committed to serve in the state and give back to their communities. The following are some of the many highlights shared:
- Last year, NAU launched its College of Nursing, where an American Indian Program supports Indigenous students who hope to practice nursing in their home communities and a new Nursing Exploration Camp is helping rural kids visualize different pathways into the profession.
- The College of Health and Human Services’ new Indigenous Health Track prepares Master of Public Health students for success in tribal settings through clinical placements in Indigenous communities.
- The Center for Community Health and Engaged Research has launched community-based participatory research projects aimed at combating early childhood caries and supporting caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
- The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences’ tribal re-entry program supports incarcerated individuals transitioning back into their communities with mental health services and more. Plus, the course Care for Nahasdzáán gives social science students a chance to make a positive difference in the Diné and Hopi communities and other tribal communities nationwide.
- Together with OpusVi, NAU launched affordable, healthcare-focused online master’s degree programs in business administration and social work.
Cruz Rivera noted the critical importance of public investment in health education to achieve these milestones, highlighting the collaboration between the state and the Arizona Board of Regents to fund the Arizona Healthy Tomorrow Initiative.
“Public investment in our health initiatives has been vital to expanding program capacity, offerings, and meeting this essential area of workforce demand for Arizona,” said Cruz Rivera. “At NAU, we are on track to double the number of health professions and behavioral health graduates by 2030, and our graduates are uniquely prepared to serve in rural, underserved, and Indigenous areas where their impact is needed most.”
The roundtable also highlighted NAU’s priorities for use of the Stimulus for Economic and Education Development (SPEED) bonds championed by Gov. Hobbs. SPEED will allow the university to build a new, state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot nursing building, expanding program capacity, ensuring unparalleled learning experiences for future nurses, and creating a hub for health education on the university’s Flagstaff campus. In addition, SPEED will support much-needed infrastructure improvements to physical sciences facilities and renovate some spaces inside Cline Library.
Gov. Hobbs pledged her continued support for NAU’s impactful work to address the state’s healthcare worker shortage and ensure quality care for all Arizonans.
While on campus, Gov. Hobbs also toured NAU’s new nursing simulation lab and met with nursing students who described their experiences in hands-on courses that are preparing them for the unique challenges they’ll face as providers in Arizona.
As seen on The NAU Review.