Rural Healthcare Academy

About the Rural Healthcare Academy

The Rural Healthcare Academy expands on the successful Rural CTE Cooperative model by creating a specialized healthcare career pathway for students in Pacific, Wahkiakum, Skamania and Klickitat counties. Through regional partnerships, virtual instruction, work-based learning and dual-credit opportunities, the Academy helps rural districts prepare students for high-wage, high-demand healthcare careers while strengthening the supports necessary to “Grow Your Own” local workforce.

The Academy Model: Five Core Programs

The Academy is built upon five foundational programs that bridge the gap between rural education and the healthcare workforce.

Our students have great things to say about the impact their CTE classes have had on their education and future plans. Take a moment to hear about the impact of the Rural CTE Cooperative in students’ own words!

Rural Healthcare Academy Benefits

The Rural Healthcare Academy is committed to building purposeful pathways in healthcare careers that strengthen the rural healthcare workforce. The academy works to improve worker retention and training opportunities, and provide rural youth with meaningful experiences to help them take early steps to completing their healthcare career pathways.

Unique & Essential

We ensure rural schools have access to high-quality healthcare-focused CTE programs, even when resources are limited. Our courses are led by highly qualified, Washington-certified teachers—many with extensive healthcare and industry experience to the classroom.

Industry-Aligned & Dual Credit Eligible

Developed with input from healthcare employers, our courses align with industry standards and regional workforce needs. Courses lead to an industry-recognized credential, dual credit for high school and college, or both, giving students a head start on education and training for healthcare careers. ESD 112 supports counselors and students in navigating dual credit transcription with partner colleges and universities.

Community-Driven & Responsive

We tailor our course offerings to meet the needs of students, school districts, and local employers. By connecting learning to local and regional healthcare workforce opportunities, our programs help students build relevant skills and prepare for a successful transition to postsecondary education, training, or healthcare careers.

Career Exploration Before Graduation

Our programs help students explore their interests and explore healthcare careers while still in high school. Each career pathway connects students to a clear postsecondary next step, helping them continue their education, earn healthcare-related industry credentials or take their next step toward a career in healthcare.

Supporting Local Economies

By equipping students with relevant, work-ready skills and connecting them to healthcare career opportunities in their communities, we help rural communities develop and retain local talent and build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare workforce.

Partnering with Rural Districts

With enrollment more important than ever, our model supports small schools by fostering collaboration instead of competition. Through this partnership, students gain access to courses beyond what their local school provides, broadening their academic choices.

Rural Healthcare Academy Partners

The Rural Healthcare Academy is a partnership between local colleges and postsecondary partners (Clark College/Lower Columbia College), healthcare employers (including The Vancouver Clinic (TVC), Peacehealth) and Educational Service District (ESD) 112, focused on expanding healthcare career pathways for rural students and strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce.

The Academy prioritizes Pacific, Wahkiakum, Skamania and Klickitat counties, as well as rural school districts throughout the ESD 112 service area. This focus helps direct resources and opportunities to rural communities facing some of the greatest geographic barriers to healthcare education, training and workforce development.

Additional partners include the Washington Association for Community Health and Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA.

This website is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $732,373.36, equaling 54% of the program cost and $1,351,000 amount and 46% funded by source(s) other than the federal government. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.

Partnering with Rural Districts

With enrollment more important than ever, our model supports small schools by fostering collaboration instead of competition. Through this partnership, students gain access to courses beyond what their local school provides, broadening their academic choices.

Who to Contact