Valued Voice

The WHA Foundation is excited to announce its latest initiative to help grow and sustain a strong health care workforce in Wisconsin. In collaboration with 30 local hospitals, the WHA Foundation is providing grants to establish HOSA-Future Health Professionals chapters in high schools during the 2024/25 school year.

Supporting Wisconsin’s existing health care workforce is a top priority of Wisconsin hospitals, as is supporting Wisconsin’s future health care workforce to maintain the high-quality health care Wisconsin citizens expect and deserve. The partnership between hospitals and high schools to recruit and develop Wisconsin’s future health care workforce is an important part of those efforts.  

HOSA is a student organization that provides members with the opportunity to explore health care career options and experiences, and the routes they can take to embark on their professional pathway. By fostering early interest in health care professions, the WHA Foundation, in partnership with 30 local hospitals, is investing in Wisconsin’s future health care workforce to ensure Wisconsin has the skilled, compassionate caregivers needed to meet the growing demand for health care. Combined, the WHA Foundation and participating hospitals contributed $33,000 to launch new HOSA chapters in schools across Wisconsin.

“The WHA Foundation is thrilled to support this significant step toward building a robust health care workforce in Wisconsin," said WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding. “This initiative isn’t just about workforce numbers – it’s about fostering future caregivers who are well-trained, committed to delivering exceptional health care for patients statewide, and prepared for rewarding and satisfying careers.”

Earlier this year, the WHA Foundation also launched the “So Many Options” campaign, a statewide initiative highlighting the vast array of career opportunities within the Wisconsin health care system. By targeting middle and high school students, both the “So Many Options” campaign and the HOSA grant program serve as invaluable resources to ensure Wisconsin’s future health care workforce is strong, well-prepared and equipped to deliver the highest level of care to all residents. As students discover fulfilling, well-paying careers with stability and upward mobility, they not only build brighter futures for themselves but also strengthen the local economy, creating a ripple effect that benefits families and communities statewide.

Below are the 30 Wisconsin hospitals that participated in this initiative:

Below are the 23 Wisconsin schools/school districts that received grants as part of this program: