Michigan Health Council

04/24/2026

We were thankful for the opportunity to attend the ONP Summit: Bridging the Gap, hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Nursing Programs. The event brought together healthcare and education organizations from across Michigan to share insights and explore innovative strategies to better connect education, practice, and policy.

04/24/2026

We had the opportunity to host Neha Vittal, a University of Michigan student, for a job shadowing experience focused on healthcare workforce research. Spending the day alongside our Director of Research, Kara Kiessling, helped provide insight into a unique and impactful career. We know how important shadowing opportunities are, and we’re excited to help highlight a pathway that supports the healthcare workforce.

04/23/2026

We're having a great time at the 29th Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference! It's an important opportunity for us to connect with partners across the state and engage in meaningful conversations around rural health. From innovative ideas to real-world solutions, the conference reinforces the importance of collaboration in driving better outcomes. Thanks to Michigan Center for Rural Health for hosting this terrific event.

04/22/2026

We’re excited to launch the School-Based Healthcare Professionals Series, an exploration of the many health career paths connected to education. This series highlights the dedicated professionals who are essential to maintaining student well-being, supporting learning, and nurturing the next generation’s interest in healthcare, while showing why their work matters across Michigan schools.

Part 1 focuses on the essential role of Athletic Trainers in schools, highlighting how they support student well-being, bridge gaps in school healthcare, and shape future healthcare careers across Michigan. Read more below.

More Than Just Sports SupportIn many schools, the person most likely to “catch” a concussion isn’t a doctor or a nurse, but the lone Athletic Trainer juggling hundreds of student-athletes. Athletic Trainers (ATs) oversee first aid, coordinate injury treatment and documentation, and provide med...

04/20/2026

There’s still time for Dentists and Dental Hygienists in Michigan to take a short survey supporting statewide oral health workforce planning. 🦷🪥

Check the email linked to your licensure for the survey link. It only takes a few minutes and closes tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21.

04/16/2026

Michigan has an opportunity to strengthen pathways into behavioral health careers by better supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

By using incentive-based models that recognize schools and educators for helping students earn industry-recognized credentials, Michigan could expand access to high-quality training in high-demand fields like behavioral health.

States like North Carolina, Florida, and Texas already show how aligning incentives with workforce needs can expand student opportunity and strengthen pipelines. Learn more at www.mhc.org/bh-cte

04/15/2026

When fully implemented, MIDOCs participating schools will be able to support 48 new Physicians per year practicing in underserved communities across Michigan. The program provides residency training designed to prepare Physicians for work in these areas, and graduates are more likely to continue serving in underserved communities after completing their training. Learn more at www.michigandocs.org/

04/13/2026

URGENT: Statewide Survey of Michigan Dentists and Dental Hygienists 🥼🦷

Attention Dental Professionals! 📣 The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services's Oral Health Program and Michigan Health Council are currently surveying licensed Dentists and Dental Hygienists about future employment plans to better understand the current supply and distribution of oral health providers across the state. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey so we can support Michiganders’ access to oral health care in the future.

👉 The survey was sent by Dr. Karalyn Kiessling to the email associated with your licensure and closes on Tuesday, April 21st. 📩

04/13/2026

The Michigan HOSA State Leadership Conference is only a few days away! Get ready to showcase your skills, have a little fun, and celebrate all your hard work. Good luck to everyone competing this week, and a huge thank you to our event staff working behind the scenes to bring this conference to life. We'll see you soon!

04/13/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Andrea Wendling for being named to the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council! Dr. Wendling is Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, practices family medicine at Munson Healthcare Boyne Area Health Center, and serves as a board member. This is a valuable opportunity for her to continue strengthening Michigan’s rural Physician workforce and expanding access to care in underserved communities across the state. Read more at www.mafp.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=664:dr--andrea-wendling-named-to-rural-health-transformation-program-advisory-council

04/09/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Eleanor King for being named the 2026 Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year by the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians! As Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Wayne State, a participating program, Dr. King is deeply committed to residency education, resident wellness, and community-focused primary care. Her dedication to the MIDOCs program helps us continue our work to improve access to care across Michigan.

Keywords: Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Family Medicine, Dr. Eleanor King, Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award, medical education,

04/08/2026

Although Michigan has only two primary Behavioral Health CTE pathways, the state offers 7 industry-recognized credentials within them, ranking third in the Midwest behind Indiana and Ohio.

Most of Michigan’s credentials focus on Child or Youth Development and provide limited training in broader Behavioral Health skills. Neighboring states like Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin offer both occupational and theory-based credentials, providing a more diverse range of pathways into Behavioral Health. Expanding Michigan’s offerings could help strengthen the workforce, broaden career pathways, and improve access to care.

Learn more at mhc.org/bh-cte