Adventist Health Launches New Workforce Development Program for Students in Central California

Adventist Health Launches New Workforce Development Program for Students in Central California  

LAUNCH (Learning and Understanding New Careers in Healthcare) offers hands-on pathways into healthcare careers 

CENTRAL VALLEY, CA — Adventist Health in Central California is proud to announce the kickoff of LAUNCH (Learning and Understanding New Careers in Healthcare), a new workforce development program designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.  

LAUNCH will offer students, aged 16 and up, the opportunity to explore a wide range of healthcare careers through hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development experiences within a hospital and outpatient setting. It will include both clinical and non-clinical career exposure. 

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce LAUNCH to our Adventist Health communities,” said Jenny Lavers, operations executive, Adventist Health Central California Network. “This program offers students, community members, and emerging professionals an opportunity to experience healthcare through clinical roles, exposure to leadership, operations, and support services. We want individuals to discover for themselves where they can make a lasting impact.”    

The program will begin with cohorts on the hospital campuses of Adventist Health Bakersfield and Adventist Health Hanford in February 2026. Within the coming years, the program will expand to six other hospitals across Central California (Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield, Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley, Adventist Health Delano, Adventist Health Tulare, Adventist Health Selma, and Adventist Health Reedley) as well as multiple Adventist Health medical offices.  

LAUNCH reflects Adventist Health’s long-term commitment to build local workforce programs that closely align with community and regional needs. By developing the program locally, the organization can tailor opportunities to meet both student interests and workforce demands in Central California.  

The southern Central Valley continues to endure a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly providers and nurses. According to state workforce models, the broader Central Valley region is below national benchmarks for registered nurses (RN) relative to population need. In fact, one recent report stated that six of the eight counties in this region — including those around Bakersfield and Tulare — are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for primary care. These shortages mean residents in communities like Hanford, Selma, and Reedley may wait longer for care or travel farther for services, making workforce-pathway programs in the region all the more critical. 

LAUNCH will include three progressive tiers, allowing participants to engage at different levels based on experience and goals:  

• Tier 1: Explore Healthcare – Introduces participants to various departments and roles within Adventist Health through weekly interactive sessions. Though not hands-on with patients, participants will engage in simulations and activities that provide a broad view of healthcare operations, including administrative and business functions.  
• Tier 2: Engage – Offers focused, hands-on experience in selected departments across our eight hospitals and more than 130 medical offices.  
• Tier 3: Experience – Provides advanced, immersive experience in a specific department — clinical or non-clinical — aligned with the participant’s career goals.  

In addition to clinical exposure, LAUNCH will expand opportunities into non-clinical areas such as hospital administration, finance, and support services, offering a more complete understanding of how a healthcare system operates.  

“Our goal is to help students experience the full spectrum of healthcare careers — from the bedside to behind-the-scenes leadership,” says Tim Haydock, operations executive, Adventist Health Central California Network. “We are proud to invest in programs that allow community members to gain skills and confidence as they prepare for their futures.”  

Applications for LAUNCH are now open and will close January 4, 2026 for the first round.  Applications will open during multiple intervals throughout the year. High school students, college students, and those exploring new healthcare career opportunities are welcome to apply during any application period.  

To learn more or to apply, visit this link.

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About Adventist Health: Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 100 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 440 sites of care, including 28 acute care facilities. Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of more than 38,000 includes employees, physicians, Medical Staff and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. We are committed to staying true to our heritage by providing patient-centered, quality care. Together, we are transforming the healthcare experience with an innovative and whole-person focus on physical, mental, spiritual, and social healing to support community well-being.