HealthForce Partners California on July 15 announced a significant milestone in its organizational journey. Effective July 2025, the organization will formally transition from being a fiscally sponsored initiative of United Way of San Joaquin County to operating as an independent, multi-regional 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
This transition reflects years of transformative work rooted in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, where HealthForce Partners began in 2018. Since then, the organization has built a proven model of collaborative healthcare workforce development, working closely with employers, educators, and workforce agencies to expand access to well-paying careers while addressing critical staffing needs of healthcare systems across California.
“As we enter this next chapter, we’re at an important inflection point. One that allows us to honor the work that brought us here while looking ahead to what’s possible,” said Paul Lanning, CEO of HealthForce Partners California. “Our independence is not the beginning of our success, it’s the result of it. Thanks to our dynamic team and the trust of partners like United Way, we’ve built a strong, responsive, and scalable model that’s ready to meet both the demand and opportunity ahead.”
To underscore this momentum, HealthForce Partners California has released its latest impact report, a forward-looking reflection of the organization’s accomplishments and trajectory.
The report highlights:
Expanded Career Pathways: Growth in nursing, behavioral health, allied health, and other critical sectors.
Workforce Programs: Launch and expansion of the Health Professions Pathway Program (HPPP), HOPE Program for Nursing, and the Behavioral Health Workforce Partnership.
Collaborative Partnerships: Strong alliances with healthcare providers, academic institutions, and workforce agencies to ensure a robust talent pipeline.
Innovative Solutions: Introduction of the Healthcare Capacity Hub and expanded Medical Assistant training programs to meet workforce needs in real time.
“It’s been an honor to serve as the fiscal sponsor for HealthForce Partners in its early development and to witness the organization grow into a trusted, forward-thinking leader in healthcare workforce development. We’re proud of our shared roots and the role we played in supporting HealthForce Partners’ launch, and we look forward to seeing its continued impact across our region and beyond,” said Kristen Birtwhistle, President and CEO of United Way of San Joaquin County.
Greg Diederich, Board Chair of HealthForce Partners California and CEO of Community Medical Centers, added, “This moment is the result of years of hard work and visionary collaboration. I’ve seen firsthand how this team responds to community needs with agility, innovation, and purpose. The path ahead is bright and we are just getting started.”
As an independent nonprofit, HealthForce Partners California will continue to lead regional and statewide efforts to ensure that communities have access to both the care and careers they need to thrive.
HealthForce Partners California brings together top executives and operational leaders from healthcare, education, and workforce development to craft innovative programs and systems-change strategies that address the staffing priorities of employers while expanding career opportunities for community residents. Originally focused on the Northern San Joaquin Valley, the organization has since broadened its reach to additional regions across California, creating long-term solutions to workforce challenges. To learn more, visit https://www.healthforcepartners.net/
