(360) 709-4600 workforce@wtb.wa.gov

Health Workforce Council Meetings

The Health Workforce Council addresses current and projected workforce shortages in healthcare occupations and proposes strategies to address them. Council members represent business, labor, education, and government. 

Health Workforce Council In-Person Meeting
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Capitol Campus
Cherberg Building, ABC Room
304 15th Ave. SW
Olympia, WA 98501
Parking Map

Register for the meeting here.

TVW: Health Workforce Council – TVW

Pre-meeting materials:
Washington Oral Health Equity Task Force – June 2025 Report (Recommendations on Page 11)
Washington Oral Health Workforce Tracking Program – Center for Health Workforce Studies – Washington’s Rural Oral Health Workforce Brief
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators – Federal Student Aid Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Washington Apple Health Medicaid – Impact of federal budget on Medicaid in Washington State July 2025
Pacific University of Health Sciences – Program Overview
Pacific University of Health Sciences – Presentation (Information and details regarding incoming dental students.)
Pacific University of Health Sciences – Strategic Compass

9-9:20 am: Welcome to the meeting

  • Dr. Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council chair
  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

9:20-9:45 am: Rural oral health disparities – Meeting materials

  • Alison Mondi, Policy Director, Arcora Foundation

9:45-10:10 am: Washington’s rural oral health workforce – Meeting materials

  • Grace Guenther, Research Scientist, Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington
  • Ben Stubbs, Research Scientist, Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington

10:10-10:25 am: Apple Health Dental Provider Network – Meeting materials

  • Jayson Diaz, Clinical Dental Program Manager, Health Care Authority

10:25-10:55 am: Break and networking time

10:55-12:00 pm: New efforts for rural oral health workforce development 

  • Kim Brown and Kelly Beebout, High school dental assistant program, Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center – Meeting materials
  • Tiffany Moore, Dental Program Manager, Cowlitz Family Health Center – Meeting materials
  • Paula Watson, Dental Hygiene Program Director, Peninsula College – Meeting materials

12:00-12:30 pm: Networking lunch

12:30-1:20 pm: New efforts for rural oral health workforce development continued:

  • Cheyanne Warren, Director, dəxʷx̌ayəbus-Dental Therapy Program, Skagit Valley College – Meeting materials
  • Mindy Flores, Quality Manager, Swinomish Dental Clinic and dəxʷx̌ayəbus-Dental Therapy Program
  • Frank Roberts and Jennifer Grant, University of Washington School of Dentistry Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) – Meeting materials

1:20-1:35 pm: Break and networking time

1:35 pm-1:45 pm: Walk through of initial SWOT analysis findings

1:45 pm-2:30 pm: Small group breakouts for discussion

  • Given our current environment, where do we see opportunities for progress towards our goal of making all types of oral health education and training more accessible in rural communities?
  • What types of actions would create connections for rural dental pathways that allow workers to grow in their skills and achieve higher levels of licensure?
  • What infrastructure/work is needed to keep the oral health workforce conversation going beyond our discussion today?

2:30 pm-3:15 pm: Large group report out/facilitated discussion

  • Do we see areas for additional Council work or initial recommendations for 2026 related to our overall rural topic?

3:15-3:30 pm: Closing and next steps

Health Workforce Council
Friday, September 26 | 9 am to 1 pm

Please register here.

Health Workforce Council
Thursday, November 20 | 9 am to 1 pm

Please register here.

Health Workforce Council
Tuesday, April 1 | 9 am to 1 pm

Please register here.

April Meeting Minutes here. 

Rural Youth Pathways

9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Announcements

  • Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council chair
  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

9:10 a.m. – Sentinel Network Updates        

  • Ben Stubbs, MPH, Health Workforce Sentinel Network Program Director

9:15 a.m. – Rural Youth Health Professions Pathways Round Table

  • Moderator: Dan Ferguson, Council member, Allied Health Center of Excellence
  • Makayla Duke, Jenkins Jr./Sr. High School, Chewelah
  • Amaretto McGuinness, Grandview High School, Grandview
  • Isabella Webb, Sultan High School, Sultan
  • Michelle Spencer, Council member, Health Sciences Program Supervisor, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction – OSPI Health CTE Enrollment
  • Desiree Sweeney, Chief Executive Officer, NEW Health
  • Kimberly Hetrick, Director, Career Connect WA
  • Korina Padilla, Health Sciences Career and Technical Education teacher, Granger School District
  • Caitlin Harrison, Workforce Development Manager, Jefferson Healthcare

10:45 a.m. – Break

11 a.m. – Rural High School/Critical Access Hospital Nursing Assistant Program

  • Eunice Muriu, MS, BSN, Nursing Consultant, Washington State Board of Nursing – Presentation materials
  • Corina Hernandez, RN, BSN, NAC Program Director, Providence Mountain Carmel Hospital and Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital
  • Roxanne Truth Sickles, MSN-BC, Manager of Clinical Education and Nurse Residency, Summit Pacific Medical Center

11:40 a.m. – Large Group Discussion of Initial Themes and Additional Topics to Explore

12:20 a.m. – Break

 12:25 p.m. – Department of Health Credentialing and HELMS Update – Presentation materials

  • Harold Wright, Jr., Council member, Interim Director, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
  • Elizabeth Geisler, Deputy Project Director, Business, Health Systems Quality Assurance, Department of Health
  • Carly McCarthy, Communications Consultant, Department of Health

 12:35 p.m. – Legislative Session and General Council Updates – Presentation materials

  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

12:50 p.m. – Closing Comments

  • Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council chair

 

Health Workforce Council
Wednesday June 25 | 9 am to 1 pm

Please register here

K12 Rural Pathways

9:00 a.m.         Welcome & Housekeeping

  • Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council chair
  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

9:10 a.m.         High School Home Care Aide Programs 

  • Carly Seagren, Workforce Development High School Liaison, Department of Social and Health Services, Home and Community Living Administration
  • Brenda Barragan, M.Ed. Health Science Teacher, Toppenish High School
  • Presentation Materials

9:30 a.m.         Rural Career Technical Education (CTE) Collaborative

  • Chad Mullen, Career Connect SW Network Manager, Educational Service District #112
  • Melanie Walker, CTE and CCL Coordinator, Educational Service District #112
  • Presentation Materials

 10:00 a.m.       Rural High School CTE Findings & Discussion

11:00 a.m.       Break

 11:15 a.m.       Washington Health Core Loan Repayment Evaluation & Discussion

  • Amy Roach, Assistant Director of Research & Program Evaluation, Washington Student Achievement Council
  • Presentation Materials

 12:00 p.m.      2025 Health Workforce Sentinel Network Data First Look

12:30 p.m.      Reaching Middle School Students About Careers in Nursing through the Teen Nursing Academy

12:50 p.m.      Closing Comments

  • Dr. Suzanne Allen
  • Renee Fullerton

 

Thursday, March 28 | 9 am to 1 pm

Access meeting notes here. 

TVW Recording

Agenda

9 am – Welcome and Announcements

  • Dr. Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council Chair
  • Dr. Suzy Ames, EdD, Council Vice-Chair
  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

9:15 am – Health Profession Credentialing Improvements – Presentation Materials 

  • Shawna Fox, MA, Director, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
  • Harold Wright, Jr., MEd, Deputy Director, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
  • Zach Patnode, Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement Administrator, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
  • HCA/NCA Letter

10:15 am – FAFSA Delay Update/Implications for Washington Students

  • Becky Thompson, Director of Student Financial Assistance, Washington Student Achievement Council

10:35 am – Public Comment

  • Attendees will have the opportunity to bring forward health workforce topics to the Council

10:45 am – Break

11 am – Washington Student Nurse Preceptor Grant Implementation – Presentation Materials

  • Victoria Hayward, MSN, RN, CNOR, Nursing Consultant, Washington State Board of Nursing
  • Kaknika Pisith, BA, BS, Acting Preceptor Grant Specialist, Washington State Board of Nursing
  • Kim Tucker, PhD, RN, CNE, Director for Nursing Programs, Columbia Basin College
  • Cheri Osler, EdD, MS-CNS, MA-LMHC, MSL, RN, CNE, Associate Dean of Nursing, Spokane Community College

11:40 am – Break

11:45 am – Health Workforce Sentinel Network Fall Data Findings/Spring Data Collection – Presentation Materials

  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff, and Ben Stubbs, Sentinel Network Program Director, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies

12:15 pm – Long-Term Care Initiative Update – Presentation Materials

  • Dr. Donald Smith, PhD, Long-Term Care Policy Manager, Workforce Board

12:25 pm – Health Workforce Legislative Update 2024 – Presentation Materials

  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

12:50 pm – Wrap-up and Concluding Remarks

  • Dr. Suzanne Allen, Council Chair
  • Dr. Suzy Ames, Council Vice-Chair
  • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

June 26: Health Workforce Listening Session

Location: Yakima Valley College Conference Center

1704 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Building #38, Yakima WA

Time: 1:30-4:30 pm

1:30-1:45 pm Welcome and meeting logistics

  • Yakima Valley College Welcome, Dr. Jennifer Ernst, Vice President for Instruction and Student Services
  • Dan Ferguson, Allied Health Center for Excellence; Dr. Russell Maier, Associate Dean, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences; and Renee Fullerton, Health Policy Associate, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

1:45-2:30 pm Grounding in community, workforce, and employer data

2:30-2:45 pm Break

2:45-3:45 pm Facilitated workforce discussion with attending healthcare employers

  • Attendees who represent healthcare employers will be actively involved in this discussion
  • Attendees who represent education, workforce development, and government partners will be active listeners

3:45-4:15 pm Group reflection and discussion time

4:15-4:30 pm Wrap up and stage setting for Health Workforce Council meeting on June 27

 

June 27: Health Workforce Council Meeting

Location: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

3200 Inspiration Drive, Yakima, WA

Time: 9 am-3 pm

9-9:30 am Welcome to the day

  • Yakima welcome, Dr. Michael Lawler, President of Pacific Northwest University
  • Blessing from the Yakama Nation, Davis “Yellowash” Washines, Pacific Northwest University Trustee
  • Council welcome, Dr. Suzanne Allen, Chair and Vice Dean for Academic, Rural and Regional Affairs, UW School of Medicine; and Dr. Suzy Ames, Vice-Chair and President, Peninsula College

9:30-10:00 am Listening session themes

  • June 26 Listening session themes and discussion

10:00-10:20 am Grounding in data

  • Overview of educational attainment for South Central Washington, Chris Dula, Senior Researcher, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board – Presentation Materials

10:20-10:30 am Break

10:30-11:45 am Educator panel: Supporting the success of health profession students from underrepresented groups

  • Korina Padilla, Granger School District, HOSA Future Health Professionals Program
  • Steven Mock, Yakima Valley College, Postsecondary Math Supports
  • Cheri Podruzny, Yakima Valley College, Dental Hygiene Program
  • Dr. Mirna Ramos-Díaz, Pacific Northwest University, Roots to Wings Program

11:45 am-12:15 pm Lunch (provided)

12:15-1:15 pm Health professional panel: Reflections on the student pathway experience

  • Mattie Tomeo-Palmanteer, BSW
  • Stephanie Aguilar, LMHC
  • Graciela Ortiz, MSW
  • Shanice Santa-Olivo, PhD
  • Mayra Correa Barada, PsyD

1:15-1:45 pm Group discussion and synthesis of themes

1:45-1:55 pm Break

1:55-2:50 pm Supporting employer training for behavioral health professions: The Accountable Communities of Health pilot experience Presentation Materials

  • Dani LaForest, Workforce Development Liaison, Greater Health Now
  • Wendy Brzezny, MN, RN, Director of Clinical Integration, Thriving Together
  • Sarah Dryfoos, MPH, CPH, Director of Equity and Collaborative Impact, Southwest Accountable Community of Health

2:50-3 pm Wrap up with gratitude and grace

  • Allen, Dr. Ames, and Renee Fullerton, staff to the Council

 

 

    Health Workforce Council
    Thursday, September 19 | 9 am to 1 pm

    TVW Recording

    Agenda

    9 am – Welcome and Announcements

    • Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council Chair
    • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

    9:20 am – Health Workforce Planning Decision Package and Sentinel Network Evolution

    9:40 am – Rural Health Workforce Strategies: Initial Findings, Discussion, and Next Steps

    • Rural Employer Findings, Ben Stubbs and Renee Fullerton
    • Small Group Breakout Discussions and Report Out
    • Presentation Materials

    11:10 am – Break

    11:30 am – Continued: Initial Findings, Discussion, and Next Steps

    • Worker and Student Experience Findings, Inez Olive, Adult Pathways Director, Washington Student Achievement Council, and Renee Fullerton
    • Small Group Breakout Discussions and Report Out
    • Presentation Materials

    12:45 pm – First Look and Discussion of 2024 Health Workforce Completion and Licensure Data

    12:55 pm – Wrap-up and Concluding Remarks

    • Suzanne Allen, Council chair
    • Suzy Ames, EdD, Council vice-chair
    • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

     

    Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 9 am – 1 pm

    TVW Recording here

    Agenda

    9 am – Welcome and Announcements

    • Suzanne Allen, MD, MPH, Council chair
    • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

      9:15 am – Health Profession Credentialing Improvements – Presentation Materials

      • Harold Wright, Jr., Interim Director, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
      • Zach Patnode, Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement Administrator, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
      • Eve Austin, Executive Director, Office of Health Professions, Department of Health
      • Carly McCarthy, HELMS Communications Consultant, Department of Health

      10:15 am – Washington Health Corps 2024 Investments and 2025 Programs – Presentation Materials

      • Sarah Alkurdi, PhD, Assistant Director, Washington Health Corps, Washington Student Achievement Council

      10:40 am – Break

      11 am – Health Care Authority Start Your Path Behavioral Health Workforce Campaign – Presentation Materials

      • Todd Jensen, Behavioral Health Workforce Coordinator, Washington State Health Care Authority
      • Melissa Thoemke, Behavioral Health Communications Manager, Washington State Health Care Authority
      • Deb Warren, Multicultural Marketing and Communications Manager, Quinn Thomas
      • Devin Bales, Director of Research, DHM Research

      *11:45 am – Consideration of Potential 2024 Recommendations – Presentation Materials

      • New: Rural health workforce overarching strategy
      • Continuing: Educational debt recommendations
      • Continuing: Access to childcare, housing, and transportation

      12:50 pm Wrap-up and Concluding Remarks

      • Suzanne Allen, Council chair
      • Renee Fullerton, Council staff

    *If individuals have indicated they would like to make a comment to the Council, time will be made here for that before consideration of recommendations begins. If you have an item you want to speak about, please contact Renee Fullerton at renee.fullerton@wtb.wa.gov by 12 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2024.

    Meeting Accessibility
    The Workforce Board is committed to providing employees and the public, including individuals with disabilities, access to its information and services. For information regarding Board meeting testimony, handouts, other questions, or for people needing special accommodation, please contact Bianca Laxton at bianca.laxton@wtb.wa.gov.