Today, it is more apparent than ever that we cannot achieve success if we pursue our goals independently. Success requires all of us to consistently work together through combined efforts with one unified goal in mind.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in healthcare occupations will increase by 15 percent between 2019 and 2029, adding more jobs than any other occupational group. Strengthening health systems to improve access to essential healthcare services results in better health, social and economic outcomes. As you are well aware, our future rests on the shoulders of the students currently in your classrooms.

The students in our elementary and high schools across Eastern Kentucky are the future of  healthcare in this region. The goal of the Workforce Innovation Center at Pikeville Medical Center is to provide learning opportunities for students from kindergarten through high school and introduce them to well-paying careers in healthcare.

I am extremely proud of the innovative team we have assembled whose primary focus is to ignite a passion for healthcare in our students. With backgrounds in education, healthcare and business, they have the experience and knowledge needed to communicate with both educators and students, and open their eyes to career opportunities in healthcare right here at home.

I am confident that by working with our team, you will discover a multitude of possibilities within the healthcare field you never knew existed. Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate with you and introduce your students to a new world of future career choices.