The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) was established in 2010 as a public body corporate and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth by the General Assembly. The VHWDA was created to identify and address health workforce issues in the Commonwealth. We accomplish this by addressing core functions as stated in the Code of Virginia.

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POWERS & DUTIES OF VHWDA

  • The Authority is sanctioned to act as the main consortium for Virginia's medical schools to qualify for Area Health Education Centers programs and manage related federal, state, and local programs, operating independently for public benefit.
  • The Authority can gather and analyze data on health care delivery, training, and education where such efforts are lacking.
  • The Authority has the capacity to evaluate policies and make related recommendations.
  • The Authority can apply for and accept federal, state, and local public and private grants, loans, appropriations, and donations.

MISSION

Foster quality health care in Virginia by providing services and investing in initiatives that promote a stable health care workforce. We do this in two ways:

  1. Grow the Health Workforce in Virginia
  2. Retaining Healthcare Talent in Virginia
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PRIORITIES

  1. Establish a framework for health workforce needs assessment while involving training programs in decisions.
  2. Management of the Virginia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program.
  3. Collaborate with regional and state entities, including health departments and commissions.
  4. Guide health care policy related to training, education, and delivery.
  5. Promote effective strategies for health workforce growth, especially in rural and underserved areas.
  6. Assist communities with health workforce recruitment and fostering community-business collaborations.
  7. Setting priorities for and evaluating graduate medical education programs overseen by the Commonwealth
  8. Champion programs to reduce the financial burden on new health professionals.
  9. Focus on priority areas in each region for health workforce development and measurable health improvement.
  10. Setting priorities for and managing the Virginia Health Care Career and Technical Training and Education Fund
  11. Create health workforce development models for regional health and economic benefits.
  12. Enhance workforce diversity by analyzing demographic data in health training and licensing.
  13. Utilize technology to expand health training and service access.
  14. Centralize health career guide with the Department of Health Professions to inform about diverse career options.
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