Building Pathways to Healthcare: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's Workforce Commitment

May 2026

The healthcare industry is experiencing rapid growth, with nearly 2 million healthcare jobs projected to open each year through 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is proactively addressing this demand by developing the next generation of healthcare professionals through a range of programs designed to inform, engage, and support individuals interested in health care careers.

In late April, Kitsap-area high school students traded their typical school day for a hands-on exploration of healthcare careers at the 2026 Healthcare Career Expo.

A collaborative effort by Olympic College, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and a variety of community partners, the event brought together passionate local healthcare professionals to provide invaluable insights into diverse fields like nursing, family medicine, radiologic technology, surgical technology, respiratory therapy, dental, and emergency medical services. Hands-on activities included suturing bananas, deciphering X-rays, intubation demonstrations, and more. Beyond practical skills, students also explored the educational pathways for these vital professions.

“I was born and raised in this community and I am a graduate of Olympic College myself,” said Allie McLaughlin, RN, Interim Vice President of Operations at St. Michael Medical Center. “In my role, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to create opportunities for local students to enter healthcare careers. When we invest in students here, we’re investing in the future of healthcare for our entire region.”

Friends Geia and Angelica, both with budding interests in healthcare, were particularly drawn to the event's hands-on approach.

"It was really fun," shared Angelica. "I was kind of just expecting a few lectures about medicine, but it was actually incredibly rewarding to learn about different specialties and how to do things."

Geia echoed her friend's sentiment, "I was always interested in medicine because of the idea of helping people. The activities they provided actually helped push that idea of having fun with it."

What began as a smaller event three years ago grew to include more than 250 students this year, pointing to growing community interest in the possibility of a career in healthcare.

More than 50 team members from St. Michael Medical Center and the VMFH Family Medicine Clinic attended the event to share their expertise and passion. Among them was Matthew Smith, MD, a board-certified family physician at Franciscan Family Medicine and Residency in Bremerton. The group’s booth featured a playful display of "lacerated" bananas and quickly became a student favorite. "We engaged students with a series of bananas with various cuts; then, taught them how to evaluate and suture them shut," he recounted with a smile.

Dr. Smith's genuine enthusiasm for his profession is palpable. "I love my job as a family medicine doctor and as a teacher. I would encourage anyone thinking about a career in healthcare to consider medical school. I think a lot of people get intimidated by the extensive training and believe they can't do it or don't have enough time. I'd like to persuade them that they absolutely can."

Organizers and community partners alike are already looking forward to the next event, expected to take place in Spring 2027. The Healthcare Career Expo would not be possible without the support from community partners, including Kitsap Black Student Union, Kitsap Strong, Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center, Our GEMS, Olympic College Foundation, The Marvin Williams Recreation Center, and Voices of Pacific Island Nations.

On April 2, students gathered in Federal Way for the fourth annual Melanin & Medicine event, hosted by Build 2 Lead (B2L) and supported by VMFH. This impactful three-day experience included a dynamic youth day featuring engaging presenters, meaningful conversations, and hands-on workshops with 150 middle and high school students from Pierce and King county.

"With Build 2 Lead, we are building these students up to have the confidence and the efficacy to chase their dreams," founder Jimmy Brown explained.

VMFH team members spent their day educating the next generation of healthcare professionals, covering an array of topics, including the journey to becoming a doctor, nursing careers, biomedical engineering, and various nontraditional healthcare pathways. Students were also invited to role-play specific positions such as hospital leaders, IT strategists, supply chain technicians, and healthcare consultants. Through the presented case scenarios, students experienced these dynamic roles and what they entail firsthand.

"It’s a chance for students to really visualize themselves as these professionals, and give them the power and confidence to realize their dreams,” Cora Wyche, Workforce Pathways Program Manager at VMFH, explained.

At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, VMFH launched a collaboration with Highline Public School/Tyee High School to offer a Technical College Program (CTE). The program allows students to complete specialized training tracks through the four years of high school. Students enrolled in the program will graduate with entry level credentials and college credits to advance into the workforce. And through the program, participants will complete hands-on training for their tracks at St. Anne Hospital and other VMFH hospital locations including shadowing and mentoring from healthcare professionals. 

The program includes: 

• Nursing Assistant – Students earn a Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC), preparing them for immediate entry into health care jobs or further nursing studies.

• Pre-Allied Health – Students explore careers in physical therapy, radiology, and allied health professions. 

• College – Students earn college credits toward two- or four-year degrees in medical fields.

“Enrolled students have the opportunity to learn about the many health care careers and get a jump start on preparing for those careers with the support of our VMFH collaboration,” shared Dionne Dixon, PhD, region director overseeing education services for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. “The program is about creating a rich experience to help our future health care team members succeed and also feel energized about their future career opportunities.”

This collaboration is just one example of career exploration work across the region. VMFH offers career explorations for more than 40 school districts, each hosted at VMFH hospitals and customized for the interests of the students.