October 2026 Work Force Newsletter

Health Care

Workforce Updates

October 2026

Continuing education credits available for dentists and dental hygienists at NYS Oral Health Annual Meeting, November 9-10, 2026

Join colleagues from across New York State at the 2026 NYS Oral Health Coalition Annual Meeting on November 9-10, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, NY. This year's meeting will feature updates on statewide oral health policy and coalition initiatives, a national perspective from Tanya Dorf Brunner, Executive Director of the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions. Commissioner of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Willow Baer will deliver the keynote, which will​​ focus on advancing oral health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Attendees will also participate in discussions on early childhood oral health, veterans' oral health, student poster presentations, networking opportunities, and the Coalition's future priorities. Continuing education credits available for dentists and dental hygienists. Register today and join the conversation shaping the future of oral health access and inclusion in New York.

Learn more and register.

Move from theory to practice with advance infant mental health training from the Mary Ellen Institute 

Professionals who work with or on behalf of babies, young children, and families are invited to join the Society for the Protection of and Care of Children's Mary Ellen Institute for Infant Mental Health: Theory to Practice. This 11-session training helps participants deepen their knowledge, strengthen their skills, reflect on their work, and build connections with other professionals. Virtual and in-person options are available, with cohorts offered in the fall, spring, and summer. The training is available at no cost to professionals serving children from birth to age 6 in the Finger Lakes region.

Cohorts are available for fall, spring, and summer. 

Email Beth Russell at ERussell@spcc-roch.org to learn more.

WNY R-AHEC opens enrollment for 2026-2027 AHEC scholars program

The Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (WNY R-AHEC) is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 AHEC Scholars Program, a statewide, HRSA-funded opportunity designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to serve rural, underserved, and medically disadvantaged communities.

The two-year program is open to students enrolled in a health-related degree program who are entering their final two years of study. Participants complete a combination of online learning and experiential education focused on topics such as social determinants of health, cultural competency, mental health, interprofessional practice, and primary care integration. Students may receive a stipend of up to $1,000 per year, with up to $2,000 available upon successful completion of the program.

For more information about the AHEC Scholars Program or to schedule a presentation, contact WNY R-AHEC.

info@r-ahec.org | 585-786-6275 | www.r-ahec.org

Adult Mental Health First Aid training coming November 18-19, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Looking to build skills that can make a difference in the workplace and community? Join the upcoming Adult Mental Health First Aid training on November 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Common Ground-FLPPS-Rochester RHIO. Participants will learn how to recognize the risk factors and warning signs of common mental health challenges in adults and how to respond and offer support in the moment. Upon completion, attendees will earn an official Mental Health First Aid USA certification.

Learn more and register.

Connect with Future Talent: Become a CPT Qualified Service Commitment Site

For qualified employers, becoming a Qualified Service Commitment Site with the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program isn't only about providing a CPT participant with an opportunity to fulfill their service commitment. It's also an opportunity to connect with healthcare and social care professionals entering or advancing in the workforce.

With CPT participants pursuing careers across nursing, behavioral health, social work, medical assisting, and more, your next great hire could be part of the CPT pipeline.

Ready to connect with future talent? Learn more on becoming a Qualified Service Commitment Site.

Eastman School of Dentistry to launch in January

The University of Rochester will establish the Eastman School of Dentistry on January 1, 2027, creating a new academic home for dental education, research, and clinical training. For students and career changers interested in dentistry, the new school represents an exciting opportunity to pursue a profession that combines healthcare, prevention, and service to the community. The launch also comes at a critical time for oral health in New York, where workforce shortages and barriers to care continue to leave many residents without access to needed treatment. Educating new dentists is an important long-term investment. Advancing oral health equity will also require innovative workforce solutions and a team-based approach to care.

Read the announcement and learn more about solutions to the dental care gap in our region.

Free community college expanded for adult learners

Governor Kathy Hochul has expanded New York’s free community college program to allow adults ages 25 to 55 to pursue tuition-free associate degrees in high-demand fields, even if they already hold a degree in another discipline. Beginning in January, the expansion will make it easier for New Yorkers to retrain for workforce shortages in fields including healthcare, helping build a stronger talent pipeline across the state.

Read the announcement.

Health Affairs: Workforce Projections Highlight Expanding Care Teams

A 2026 analysis in Health Affairs projects that physician supply will grow about 1% annually through 2030, while the number of nurse practitioners and physician associates are expected to grow much faster annually at 11% and 5.6%, respectively. The findings underscore the growing role of team-based care and the importance of investing in education and workforce pathways to meet future healthcare needs.

Learn more. 

Please share your health care workforce updates

If you have workforce updates to share, or any feedback or ideas for this newsletter, please contact Melissa Wendland at melissa.wendland@commongroundhealth.org.

Please share this newsletter with others in your organization who might benefit and encourage them to sign up to receive it. 
https://www.commongroundhealth.org/newsletter-sign-up