The Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation has received a $75,000 grant from Bank of America to support the Detroit Regional Healthcare Talent Collaborative – an employer-led initiative from the Chamber’s TalentEd program that is advancing a more robust, inclusive healthcare talent pipeline across the Detroit Region.
“The work already underway through the Chamber’s Detroit Regional Healthcare Talent Collaborative to fill the urgent talent needs burdening Michigan’s healthcare system is critical and meaningful,” said Greg Handel, the Chamber’s Chief Education and Talent Officer. “Receiving financial support from a respected corporate partner like Bank of America only reinforces the business community’s investment in ensuring strong talent pipelines in the industries driving our regional and statewide economy.”
Through this investment, Bank of America is supporting a collaborative network of leading health systems, including Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health, and Trinity Health, alongside partners in education, workforce development, and community organizations working to educate residents about and connect them to high-quality healthcare careers.
“Healthcare is driving economic opportunity and community well-being across Southeast Michigan, and the Detroit Regional Healthcare Talent Collaborative brings employers, educators, and community partners together to create more pathways to high-demand healthcare careers while helping address critical workforce shortages,” said Ed Siaje, President of Bank of America Detroit. “Bank of America is proud to support this collaborative effort and invest in solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen our local workforce, and help build a more inclusive economy for the Detroit Region.”
This grant will also support a pilot initiative at Henry Ford Health to increase the number of respiratory therapists being trained, hired, and retained in the Detroit Region. This new funding will increase clinical capacity, job awareness, and shadowing opportunities, as well as support measures to reduce barriers currently preventing residents from pursuing these careers. “At Henry Ford Health, we know that building a sustainable healthcare workforce requires innovative partnerships that meet people where they are. This incredible support from Bank of America and the Detroit Regional Chamber allows us to scale critical pathways, like our new respiratory therapy pilot program, by removing the financial and logistical barriers that often stand in the way of career advancement,” said Catherine Susko, Vice President of HR Planning, Development, and Belonging for Henry Ford Health. “By investing in hands-on training and clinical capacity right here in Detroit, we aren’t just filling vital healthcare roles; we are creating meaningful, family-sustaining careers that uplift our entire community.”
This work aligns with the Chamber’s broader TalentEd strategy to increase postsecondary educational attainment and expand access to high-value credentials that lead to family-sustaining careers across the Detroit Region.
By strengthening employer partnerships and investing in targeted training pathways, the Collaborative aims to build a sustainable, homegrown healthcare workforce that meets regional demand while expanding opportunity for underserved communities.
Making an Impact
At the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, leaders from Henry Ford Health, the Detroit Regional Chamber, and Bank of America Detroit discussed the urgent healthcare workforce crisis facing Michigan, including more than 23,000 open positions statewide. The conversation highlighted how cross-sector partnerships help build stronger talent pipelines, remove barriers to career access, and create more hands-on exposure to healthcare careers for students and adult learners alike. Watch the full interview to hear how business, healthcare, and community leaders are working together to strengthen Michigan’s workforce and expand opportunities across the Detroit Region.
The Detroit Regional Healthcare Talent Collaborative comprises leaders from health systems, K-12 and higher education, and community-based organizations who work together on innovative strategies to address the healthcare talent crisis in the Detroit Region. To learn how to get involved, contact Christi Taylor, the Chamber’s Senior Director of Talent Initiatives.
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