Baxter Health has employed 42 graduates from its White Coat program, an initiative designed to introduce high school students to healthcare professions. Since its launch in 2021, the program has involved 192 students from area schools, with participants gaining exposure to healthcare careers through classroom instruction, job shadowing, and hands-on time alongside hospital staff.
Under the guidance of its workforce development and clinical education teams, Baxter Health develops the curriculum, teaches the courses, and coordinates on-site placements. Among the 42 individuals hired by the hospital, roles include 13 patient care technicians, 12 nurses, eight laboratory technicians, two paramedics, and seven in other healthcare and support positions.
In addition to those joining the workforce, 67 former program participants have pursued higher education, with 53 focusing on healthcare-related fields. On average, the program has worked with approximately 38 high school students annually. Around one in five participants have eventually been hired by the hospital, a notable outcome in a region with ongoing challenges in recruiting clinical staff.
Rural hospitals across Arkansas face stiff competition for medical professionals, often losing candidates to larger healthcare systems in Springfield, Little Rock, and northwest Arkansas, which frequently offer higher pay. Baxter Health’s approach seeks to alleviate workforce shortages by reaching students early and encouraging them to stay local, rather than attempting to recruit them back after leaving the region.
Hospital officials credited the collaboration of high school teachers and counselors, noting their critical role in connecting students to the program. Baxter Health described the initiative as an investment in building a pipeline that benefits students, the hospital, and local communities.