Investing in the healthcare workforce is a critical part of expanding access to care because it creates lasting, generational impact. Premera recognizes that programs have greater impact if they are locally driven and community-rooted. That’s why each investment in the workforce is tailored to what partners know is needed, including:
Well. Beyond.
Help where it’s
needed most
Ensuring access to the care people need is central to Premera’s mission. This is especially important in care deserts – often rural, remote, and underserved communities – where access to primary, preventive, and behavioral health care can be limited.
Investing in solutions
Physician & nursing recruitment and training
Investing in recruitment and training through educational institutions in Washington and Alaska is a proven way to add more providers to the healthcare system long-term. That’s why Premera supported programs across seven colleges and universities, including University of Washington, Washington State University, and University of Alaska Anchorage.
Impact by the numbers
$23.5+ million
to fund residency programs in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and rural regions
$11 million
to fund nursing programs through faculty recruitment, stipends for students, fellowships, and educational pathways
694
nurses and residents added to the workforce pipeline since 2020
65
hospitals and clinics strengthened through increased staffing capacity
Collaborative Care
When behavioral health conditions are treated in traditional medical settings, it improves access to comprehensive care. Premera provided funding for clinics in these areas to implement the Collaborative Care model, which included training their teams, hiring new employees, and connecting with consultative providers.
Impact by the numbers
$5.6 million
in funding for rural and remote primary care clinics and hospitals
$3 million
in funding for pediatric and oncology clinics serving Black communities
2,600+
patients treated in participating Collaborative Care clinics
48%
of patients achieved a positive response in depression treatment
Capital and equipment grants
Healthcare providers in care deserts can face unreliable infrastructure and a lack of helpful equipment, but funding for these needs is often limited. After asking clinics what they needed to make it easier for their providers to do their jobs, Premera issued a series of capital grants to clinics for equipment, transportation, dental care, and facility upgrades.
Impact by the numbers
$7 million
in grants awarded in Alaska and Washington for hard-to-fund enhancements
47
grants for equipment purchases essential to rural areas, such as generators and transportation
11
grants enhanced dental services in remote areas
20
grants modernized healthcare facilities in rural communities
