One way Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston responded to the unprecedented hiring challenges of today’s work environment, was by offering a medical assistant apprenticeship program. To help find candidates for this hard-to-fill position, Mile Bluff offered to cover the cost of tuition and provide on-the-job training. In exchange, apprentices would work at Mile Bluff during their year-long training program, and then stay with the organization for at least another two years after earning their certification.
 
Mile Bluff also focused efforts on recruiting medical providers, and was able to hire nine new practitioners. These additions allowed the organization to continue to meet the growing need for care in its clinic, hospital, emergency, urgent care, surgery and same-day care settings.
 
Aside from searching for new employees, Mile Bluff also continued its efforts to rebuild and maintain a positive working environment for its current team. Not only did the entire leadership group receive culture-specific training; but the staff was able to partake in morale-boosting initiatives throughout the year. There was a pig roast and bonfire event, free outings at a local concert venue, a bake-off competition, and events coordinated by Mile Bluff’s Fun Squad—a committee dedicated to ensuring that there is at least one fun thing planned for employees every month. 
 
Mile Bluff recognizes that investing in its employees will ultimately have a positive impact on the people they serve. This is why, despite the need to focus so much attention on recruitment and retention, Mile Bluff never wavered in carrying out its mission in the community.