​Healthy Communities Initiative

The Healthy Communities Initiative is one element of A Partnership for Thriving Communities.  The Partnership recognizes that to thrive in the 21st century, a community needs a creative culture; an educated, vigorous society; robust economic growth; and a healthy productive natural environment.
 
The Healthy Communities Initiative focuses on the nurturing the well being of our citizens through first-rate professional programs in health care and wellness. The initiative is intended as a public-private partnership focusing on the existing strengths of the university's healthcare and wellness curriculum.

Goals:

  • Create a variety of academic pathways for students in the region—especially first-generation, underrepresented minority, and adult populations—to enter health-related fields; pathways are forged by creating and reinforcing relationships with the North Central Wisconsin Higher Education Alliance.
     
  • Ensure students receive the best possible education by enhancing healthcare curricula and providing focused student support including intensive tutoring and advising, career counseling, and workshops and camps to assist with course work and professional exams.
     
  • Assist graduates in returning to central and northern Wisconsin to practice as health care and wellness professionals.

Blueprint:

Beginning in February 2012, the university conducted a series of listening sessions with education partners, healthcare executive, elected officials, economic development executives, and university faculty and staff. NorthStar Consulting Group and Dr. Joan North, dean emerita, UW-Stevens Point, prepared a study of the initiative to serve as the blueprint for moving forward.