U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Malden) talks about the importance of combating the workforce shortage.
Reminder Publishing photos by Trent Levakis
HOLYOKE — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Malden) visited the Paper City on Wednesday, Oct. 16 to tour and share remarks at Holyoke Health Center in a highlight of the $1 million he secured in fiscal year 2024 to jumpstart the Holyoke Health Careers Training Center.
Joined by Holyoke Health Center President Dr. Alejandro Esparaza-Perez, HCC President George Timmons and state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), Markey spoke about the importance of this crucial funding to help jumpstart careers in a healthcare field feeling the impact of a worker shortage.
“Community health centers are essential to ensuring that family, friends and neighbors can get the healthcare they need, when and where they need it,” Markey said. “We must ensure that a steady flow of trained professionals is there to meet the growing demand.”
Holyoke Health Center will collaborate with a handful of local colleges to create and educate a training center in the region and address the need for well-trained healthcare workers. The training will promote collaboration amongst institutions, create interdisciplinary learning opportunities and engage the community and improve health outcomes overall for the region.
“This center will serve as a hub to train the next generation of healthcare providers and healthcare workers and ensure that our communities have access to the highest quality of care that they deserve,” said Esparaza-Perez. “The regional health professionals’ education and training center will be a beacon of hope and opportunity.”
The center will be used to train and educate locally sourced healthcare professionals through state-of-the-art training and hands on learning opportunities.
“Holyoke Health Center is poised to become the go-to for those seeking that next step in their education or career journey, and not just here in Holyoke, but throughout the Pioneer Valley. All the other surrounding communities will all be beneficiaries of this program,” Markey said.
Velis added funding for a training center like this was crucial in meeting those in need where they are.
“Now comes along a project that’s going to focus on that and kind of be this hub for training, workforce, etc. That’s what we call a force multiplier, a gift that keeps on giving and impacts so many different fields,” Velis said. “This is a continuation of a really important project.”
Initial offerings will include basic training for medical assisting, dental assisting, pharmacy technician, optometry technicians, medical interpretation, clinical front desk and behavioral health allied support. Advanced offerings will include nursing practice, family nurse practitioner, behavioral health clinicians, community health worker and physical therapy.
The center will work closely with community partners Holyoke Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, Baystate Medical Center, Holyoke Veterans Home, nursing homes, behavioral health providers and more in ensuring success for those who come through the center’s training.
