The Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce held its monthly meeting at Marquette University School of Dentistry on June 6. It was the first time the statewide task force convened in Milwaukee.
Dr. Elsbeth Kalenderian, dean of the School of Dentistry, welcomed more than 20 fellow task force members and other state healthcare leaders, including Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek and state Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson.
Before the meeting commenced, Kalenderian, Dr. Henry Rossi and dental student John Kerns led visitors on a tour of the dental school, with stops in the dental clinic, the research and preclinical simulation labs, and the Innovation Center.
The meeting was led by a panel of healthcare educators, who discussed education and training, recruitment and retention, licensure and other topics. The task force then broke out into small groups for more discussion.
Dr. Elsbeth Kalenderian, dean of Marquette University School of Dentistry, walks with Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and other members of the task force.
In January, Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #220 to create the task force, which is charged with studying the workforce challenges facing the state’s health care system, including recruitment and retention; identifying ways to improve patient care and alleviating the burdens on the health care workforce; exploring educational and training pathways to grow a sustainable health care workforce; and creating an action plan with solutions related to workforce development, industry innovation, education, and training for consideration in the governor’s 2025-27 executive budget.
Video of the June meeting is available on WisconsinEye (free subscription required).
