Education and Training of the Rural Healthcare Workforce – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Feb 24, 2026 - Describes workforce shortages in rural Colorado and a rural-focused program in the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz School of Medicine aiming to reduce those shortages. Highlights the programs attention to rural training and preparing students for family medicine.
Source: The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Feb 24, 2026 - Highlights two new 3D printed, low-cost simulation devices that may make training rural and other limited resource institutions more accessible. Discusses the high cost of simulation devices, how the devices were tested, and the involvement of engineering students in developing the devices.
Source: The Den, Mercer University
Feb 9, 2026 - Touro University's medical and dental schools have built clinics and workforce pipelines in rural areas of California and New Mexico. The initiative gives students community-based training while increasing healthcare access for patients.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
Jan 20, 2026 - Discusses the launch of a new regional campus from the University of Minnesota Medical School. The campus is located in a rural region and aims to increase the number of rural students to address rural physician shortages. Highlights a partnership with a regional healthcare system to support the new campus.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jan 20, 2026 - Highlights a college program partnering with a local rural emergency department to hire students as emergency medicine technicians to address workforce shortages. Describes common rural challenges with hiring and retaining EMTs and the benefits of rural hands-on training for the students.
Source: MPR News
Jan 9, 2026 - Baylor University has conducted a scoping review of rural nursing workforce recruitment and retention programs across the U.S., to address shortages of registered nurses. The study highlights what is being done to support the nurses' rural communities, and which strategies work best.
Source: Baylor College of Medicine
Jan 8, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Bureau of Health Workforce Performance Data Collection, OMB No. 0906-0086-Revision." Information collected is used to analyze and report on Bureau of Health Workforce grantee training activities and education, identify details about the practice locations where trainees work after program completion, and report outcomes of funded initiatives. Data collected from these grant programs will inform policymakers on the barriers, opportunities, and outcomes involved in healthcare workforce development. Comments are due by March 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 2/24/2026