HealthForce Partners California Releases 2026 Impact Report, Reflects on Successful First Year as Independent Nonprofit

Report showcases statewide growth, breakthrough workforce results, and the organization's role in shaping the future of healthcare education and economic development across California

AUGUST 25, 2026 - HealthForce Partners California today released its 2026 Impact Report, documenting a landmark first year as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit marked by statewide expansion, breakthrough workforce outcomes, and a growing role in advancing medical education and economic development across California.

The report highlights the organization's progress across multiple regions and programs, reflecting its core conviction that healthcare workforce development and regional economic vitality are inseparable. As California continues to face critical shortages of physicians, nurses, and behavioral health professionals, HealthForce Partners California has demonstrated that community-rooted, employer-driven workforce solutions can move the needle, and scale.

"Healthcare workforce development is economic development," said Paul Lanning, CEO of HealthForce Partners California. "When a community can train and retain its own healthcare professionals, families build financial stability, health systems strengthen, and regional economies grow. That is what we are building, and this report is the evidence that it works. What started in 2018 as a localized effort in San Joaquin County now spans multiple regions, and we are just getting started."

Key highlights from the 2026 Impact Report include:

• Behavioral Health Workforce: A reduction in a county’s clinician vacancy rate from 24% three years ago to less than 3% today

• HOPE Program for Nursing: Rapidly expanding program addresses the nursing shortage through education and employer collaboration

• Health Professions Pathways Program: Supported more than 1,000 underrepresented local students in pursuing healthcare careers

• Medical Education: Along with 16 education and training partners, we are shaping the way California and the nation address healthcare workforce shortages

• New Funding: $1,358,406 in new funding to support growth & workforce development

About HealthForce Partners California

HealthForce Partners California brings together top executives and operational leaders from healthcare, education, and workforce development to craft innovative programs and systems-change strategies that address the staffing priorities of employers while expanding career opportunities for community residents. Originally focused on the Northern San Joaquin Valley, the organization has since broadened its reach to additional regions across California, creating long-term solutions to workforce challenges. To learn more, visit healthforcepartners.net.