2026 State of Healthcare Workforce Forum
About this Event
Supported By
St. David's Foundation
Parking Info
Please do not navigate to Austin PBS' street address. When using Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze, simply enter "Austin PBS" and you will be navigated to the public entrance. If using rideshare, navigate to 906 Clayton Lane.
Free street parking is available around the building and in the surface lot across the street. Free covered parking is available in the Austin Community College Highland South Parking Garage (Entry #5 on Clayton Lane).
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About this event
Join Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, and St. David’s Foundation for the second annual State of Healthcare Workforce Forum, an event highlighting the impacts of the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership.
Building upon last year’s conversations and insights, this year’s program will explore progress made, emerging challenges and collaborative solutions shaping the future of healthcare workforce development in Central Texas. We’re excited to feature new speakers and industry leaders through keynote insights, panel discussions and conversations focused on education-to-career pathways.
We welcome healthcare employers and education and training providers as well as leaders in business, K-12 education, higher education, workforce development, philanthropy and elected officials to attend.
Special guest speakers include:
- Workforce Solutions Capital Area CEO, Yael Lawson
- Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area CEO, Paul Fletcher
- Texas State Representative Donna Howard, District 48
- University of Texas at Austin Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor, S. Craig Watkins
- Baylor Scott & White Health Vice President of Workforce Development Programs, Phil Kendzior
- St. David’s HealthCare Division VP of Clinical Informatics, Stacey Beason-Burklund
- St. David’s Foundation President and CEO, Dr. Edward Burger
- Texas State University Round Rock Campus Vice President, Dr. Julie Lessiter
- Capital IDEA Executive Director, Alyssia Palacios-Woods
- Austin Community College District Chancellor, Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart
- Bastrop County Public Health Department Executive Director, Donna Nichols
- Workforce Solutions Capital Area Director of Healthcare Partnerships, Ashley King
- Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Healthcare Sector Partnerships Manager, Laura Rosen
- And more to be announced!
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM
Registration, breakfast bites, coffee and networking
🕑: 09:00 AM
Welcome & opening remarks
🕑: 09:15 AM
Keynote address by Texas State Representative Donna Howard
🕑: 09:35 AM
AI in the Healthcare Workforce
Info: Panel discussion moderated by S. Craig Watkins, Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor, University of Texas at Austin, featuring leadership from Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health, and St. David’s HealthCare
🕑: 10:15 AM
Central Texas Healthcare Workforce Outlook
Info: Central Texas Healthcare Workforce Outlook: Occupations and the Education Pipeline presentation by Ashley King, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Laura Rosen, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
🕑: 10:30 AM
Workforce at the Crossroads
Info: Workforce at the Crossroads: The Institutions Building Healthcare Talent Pipelines for Central Texas panel discussion moderated by Dr. Edward Burger, St. David’s Foundation, featuring leadership from Austin Community College District, Capital IDEA, and Texas State University
🕑: 11:10 AM
Meeting Individuals Where They Are and Creating Innovative Healthcare Pathways
Info: Presentation by Donna Nichols, Bastrop County Health Department
🕑: 11:25 AM
Closing remarks
🕑: 11:35 AM
Program conclusion; networking
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
