Bank of America, N.C. Healthcare Foundation partner to strengthen rural healthcare workforce

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation has partnered with Bank of America to support a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening the rural healthcare workforce pipeline for North Carolina’s Critical Access Hospitals and communities in Tier 1 counties.
 
Building on ongoing workforce development efforts led by NCHF and the North Carolina Healthcare Association, the partnership recognizes workforce stability as a critical component of community health and access to care in rural North Carolina. The initiative will support coordinated strategies that prepare students for healthcare careers, expand rural hospital training capacity, and address barriers that affect workforce recruitment and retention.

Program activities will include mentorship, skill-building workshops, work experience and job-shadowing opportunities, career awareness — particularly for shorter training pathways — and exploration of workforce housing solutions. The effort will also provide a platform for rural hospitals and community partners to share best practices, identify common challenges, and develop scalable models that can be replicated across regions.

 
“A strong rural healthcare workforce is essential for maintaining local access to care and fostering strong, healthy communities,” said LaPonda Edmondson, DrPH, MHA, president of NCHF. “Our partnership with Bank of America enables us to build on successful programs, strengthen local pipelines, and cultivate a healthcare workforce committed to serving the communities they call home.”
 
“At Bank of America, we are committed to helping strengthen the economic and social vitality of every community we serve, which includes access to quality healthcare,” said Larry Chattoo, head of Philanthropic Giving at Bank of America. “By partnering with the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, we’re supporting efforts that equip students for meaningful careers, expand training opportunities in rural hospitals and invest in the long‑term stability of the healthcare workforce. Together, we can help ensure rural communities across North Carolina have the resources and talent they need to thrive.”