10 ARH, with the assistance of a $6.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration, will launch an Allied Health Training Academy inside the ARH Medical Mall in Hazard. Developed in partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the academy will offer education and hands- on training for LPNs, medical assistants and nursing assistants. It is designed to help address a critical shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in Kentucky, while providing career pathways for unemployed adults, ages 25-54. The academy is a vital part of SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan, which addresses workforce challenges in healthcare, clean energy, and other critical sectors. By focusing on workforce development in healthcare, ARH’s Allied Health Training Academy will serve as a driver for economic growth and will improve the quality of life across the region. ARH announces Allied Health Training Academy WE ARE STEEPED IN TRADITION ARH made tremendous efforts in 2024 to both strengthen and engage its exist- ing workforce and appeal to top recruits throughout the region and country. “I’m proud of the commitment we’ve made to our staff to enhance engagement, strengthen our presence, elevate employ- ee voice and increase our investment in their success — both professionally and educationally,” said ARH AVP of Workforce Initiatives Dylon Baker. Key advancements include: ARH Workforce Recruitment efforts led to more than 1,400 new hires, includ- ing more than 375 registered nurses. As nursing is one of the most critical areas in healthcare, the targeted efforts to recruit new hires significantly reduced the sys- tem’s reliance on agency staffing, resulting in a multi-million dollar cost savings across the system. In Workforce Advancement and Develop- ment, ARH awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to support students pur- suing careers in healthcare fields such as nursing, lab technology, pharmacy tech and social work. These scholarships come with employment commitments ranging from 1 to 3 years, ensuring a strong, com- mitted future workforce. Additionally, ARH invested more than $300,000 in tuition reimbursement to help our current employees advance their ed- ucation, offering support for degree pro- grams that directly benefit their roles. ARH’s Workforce Engagement initiatives included more than 300 site visits from in 2024, bringing employee engagement events directly to the teams. The work- force team hosted events for each hospi- tal’s dayshift staff during the summer and evening and nights during the fall. In spring 2025, the team will expand its engagement efforts to reach off-site staff in clinics, home health, and remote settings. Recruitment and employee engagement efforts build a stronger workforce
