June 7, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott, along with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), has announced the first members of the task force, which aims to tackle the healthcare workforce shortages in Texas.
The task force is committed to meeting the demands of Texas’ growing population by providing students with the vital skills necessary for achievement in the healthcare industry.
“Health professionals across Texas work tirelessly to meet the needs of our growing state and provide high-quality care to their fellow Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “In April, I directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to address our state’s healthcare workforce shortage by maintaining sufficient clinical placement sites and retaining qualified clinical faculty so that students have the tools they need to succeed in this vital industry. Today, we’re announcing the inaugural members of the Healthcare Workforce Taskforce. This highly qualified group of experts, industry leaders, and individuals from Texas’ top-tier higher education institutions will ensure Texas can expand our healthcare workforce to meet the needs of all Texans for generations to come.”
The task force is led by Victoria Ford and includes a diverse group of experts, industry leaders, and representatives from top-tier higher education institutions in Texas. Victoria Ford, President and CEO of Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, and Chair of the Healthcare Workforce Taskforce.
“The task force and advisory members have exceptional expertise and experience,” said Ford. “I am looking forward to working with them through this process to identify strategies that will ensure Texas continues to grow a strong and robust healthcare workforce.”
The task force and advisory members will meet monthly, gather insights from various stakeholders, and issue a final report on October 1, 2024.
The task force is comprised of knowledgeable experts and leaders that are representative of the various needs across Texas. Additionally, over sixty subject matter experts were selected from submitted nominations to participate as advisory members in substantive workgroups.
View the full list of advisory members here.