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Governor Stein Tours West Henderson High School, Highlights Health Care Workforce Program, and Honors Western North Carolinians

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Governor Josh Stein toured West Henderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, and met with members of its inaugural Healthcare Fellows program, a partnership between Henderson County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, and UNC Health Pardee. The program provides full financial support to students to prepare for health care careers at Blue Ridge Community College. Stein highlighted the state's nursing shortage and emphasized the need for the General Assembly to pass a full budget that invests in the next generation of nurses.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Healthcare Fellows program provides full financial support to students to prepare for health care careers at Blue Ridge Community College.
  • The program is a partnership between Henderson County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, and UNC Health Pardee.
  • North Carolina has the eighth-worst nursing shortage in the nation, with rural communities lacking access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services.
  • Governor Stein's budget proposal would provide funding to colleges and universities to increase the number of high-demand health care jobs.
  • The proposal also includes investments in North Carolina Area Health Education Centers to increase the number of health workforce instructors.
  • Governor Stein urged the General Assembly to pass a full budget that addresses the state's health care workforce shortage.
  • The Governor also honored western North Carolinians at the Land of Sky Regional Council's event for their work in responding to Hurricane Helene.

Statistics:

  • North Carolina has the eighth-worst nursing shortage in the nation (source: Governor Stein).
  • The state's nursing shortage affects rural communities, which lack access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services (source: Governor Stein).
  • Governor Stein's budget proposal would provide funding to increase the number of high-demand health care jobs (source: Governor Stein).
  • The Government's proposal includes investments in North Carolina Area Health Education Centers to increase health workforce instructors (source: Governor Stein).

Sources:

  • Governor Stein's statement on the healthcare workforce shortage (Aug 20, 2025)
  • Governor Stein's budget proposal (exact title and date not specified in the source material)
  • VisitNC's "Rediscover the Unforgettable" initiative (exact date not specified in the source material)
  • Land of Sky Regional Council's event to honor western North Carolinians (exact date not specified in the source material)

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