Assessing Respiratory Care Therapy as Academic Program Scope: UKRF Healthcare Workforce Collaborative: Kentucky Workforce INitiative for our State (KY-WINS)

Abstract Recognizing that Kentucky faces a critical healthcare workforce shortage, the University of Kentucky proposes to grow and strengthen the education pipeline to fill this need through the UK for Kentucky Workforce INitiative for our State (KY-WINS). We propose to increase the number of students trained and increase the likelihood those graduates remain in Kentucky to provide patient care using a multi-pronged approach focusing on Nursing, Physicians, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Mental Health Providers and Social Work Practitioners. We propose the following specific aims: (1) Increase access for underrepresented minority students to enter the healthcare pipeline; (2) Expand current academic programs focused on preparing the healthcare workforce; and (3) Enhance clinical opportunities to allow students greater access to work-based learning experiences. We will achieve these aims through a mix of activities in collaboration with four health care colleges (Nursing, Social Work, Medicine and Health Sciences), our Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education and UK HealthCare, all of which have decades of experience working to grow the healthcare workforce in Kentucky.