HEALTH Pathways Initiative
The HEALTH Pathways initiative tackles one of Tennessee’s most urgent challenges: building a sustainable healthcare workforce pipeline for rural communities facing critical shortages of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. Across the state, talented students often lack clear pathways, mentorship, and access to training opportunities that connect education to real careers, especially in medically underserved regions.
Funded by a $2 million grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), this innovative partnership brings together K-12 schools, community colleges, healthcare systems, and the University of Tennessee’s College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies and Graduate School of Medicine, to redesign how future healthcare professionals are discovered, trained, and supported, creating seamless pathways from high school through advanced degrees and into meaningful employment.
By combining experiential learning, dual enrollment, industry mentorship, and stackable credentials, the program transforms fragmented educational systems into a coordinated talent ecosystem, helping rural students see themselves in healthcare careers while strengthening the future of care for entire communities.
Partners
K-12 Partners
Our K-12 partners serve as the starting point for a connected healthcare career pathway, introducing students early to health-focused academics, career exploration, and hands-on experiences that build awareness of future opportunities.
Community College Partners
Community college partners provide a critical bridge between early career exploration and advanced healthcare education, offering stackable credentials, accelerated pathways, and workforce-ready training aligned with regional healthcare needs.
College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers intercollegiate undergraduate programs focused on emerging fields and workforce-aligned education.
Graduate School
of Medicine
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, located at the UT Medical Center, provides residency programs, fellowships, and advanced clinical education across multiple medical specialties.
Claiborne Medical Center
As a regional healthcare provider, Claiborne Medical Center plays an important role in supporting local workforce development by offering real-world clinical environments where students can engage in career exploration, job shadowing, and experiential learning opportunities.
Rhea Medical Center
Rhea Medical Center plays an essential role in providing real-world healthcare environments where students transition from classroom learning to applied practice. Students gain exposure to modern healthcare systems while building practical skills that support workforce readiness.
Roane County
Medical Center
Roane County Medical Center contributes to the regional healthcare workforce pipeline by supporting experiential learning opportunities that connect academic preparation with clinical practice.
UT Medical Center
UT Medical Center serves as a key clinical partner within the healthcare pathway, offering advanced healthcare environments where students engage in experiential learning, mentorship, and exposure to interdisciplinary care models.
Get Involved
Prospective Students
Interested in exploring future-focused healthcare pathways that combine innovation, emerging technologies, and real-world experience? Contact [email protected] to learn how HEALTH Pathways helps prepare the next generation of health professionals.
Parents
Want to learn how HEALTH Pathways connects healthcare education with innovative, forward-looking learning experiences designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more.
Higher Education Partners
Looking to collaborate on intercollegiate healthcare pathways that integrate emerging technologies, workforce needs, and innovative educational models? Connect with us at [email protected] to explore partnership opportunities.
Industry Partners
Interested in helping shape the future healthcare workforce through innovative collaborations and experiential learning initiatives? Contact [email protected] to learn how to partner with HEALTH Pathways.
People
Vice Provost and Founding Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education at The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Vitruvian Health
Professor of Practice at the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
Founder and CEO of EEA Innovations
Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economical Development at the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
Director of Talent Engagement and Development at UT Medical Center
Professor of STEM education (science) in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
Director of Academic Operations at the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
Vice President of Workforce & Economic Development and Dean of the Claiborne County Campus
CTE Director of Claiborne County Schools
CTE Director/RCVA Principal of Roane County Schools
Vice President for Student Learning at Roane State Community College
President and Chief Administrative Officer at Cumberland Medical Center
Executive Director of College and Career Readiness of Knox County Schools