Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership (SHIP) Conference to Convene Leaders on Behavioral Health Workforce Solutions for the Sierra Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership (SHIP) Conference to Convene Leaders on  Behavioral Health Workforce Solutions for the Sierra Region 

Mammoth Lakes, CA | September 11, 2025 — Healthcare, education, and workforce  leaders from across the Sierra Nevada region will gather on Thursday, September 11, at the  Westin Monache Resort in Mammoth Lakes for the next Sierra Healthcare Industry  Partnership (SHIP) Conference.

This no-cost, public event, co-hosted by Dr. Jennifer Burrows and Mother Lode Job Training,  will bring together healthcare executives, educators, workforce partners, and policymakers  to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: the need for a sustainable  behavioral health workforce pipeline.

The event will run from 8:00am to 4:00pm and includes a free breakfast, free lunch,  engaging activities and networking opportunities.

This event is supported by funding from the California Jobs First grant administered by  Sierra Business Council and the Sierra K–16 Collaborative grant administered by Columbia  College.

A Focus on Behavioral Health Workforce Needs

The SHIP Conference builds on the momentum of the West Side convening held in  Jamestown on July 26, which united over 40 leaders from the Sierra region and beyond to  explore rural healthcare workforce challenges. This East Side convening will place a special  emphasis on behavioral health services, examining workforce gaps, future demands, and  regional strategies for collaboration.

Featured sessions include:

• Opening Address: Framing the goals of SHIP (Dr. Jennifer Burrows)
• Keynote Address: Building a Resilient Healthcare Workforce in Rural Regions (Dr.  Paul Lanning, Executive Director, HealthForce Partners)
• Panel Discussion: Innovative Partnerships: Local Strategies for Workforce Pipeline  Development 
• Spotlight Session: Bridging the Gap: Behavioral Health Needs and Workforce  Solutions (John Vass, CEO, Mathiesen Memorial Health Clinic)
• Interactive Session: Collaborative Design Workshop: Action Planning for Regional  Workforce and Behavioral Health Priorities 
• Expert Forum: Strategic Alignment: Building a Workforce Pipeline to Advance  Hospital Mission, Quality, and Growth 
• Closing Remarks: Alex Bloom and Sophia Kaufman

Building a Healthcare Workforce for the Sierra

“The Eastern Sierra is facing a critical moment in healthcare workforce development. By  investing in education, training programs, and local talent pipelines, we are building a  stronger, more resilient workforce that will meet the unique needs of our rural  communities. This is about more than filling jobs—it’s about ensuring access to quality  care, creating living-wage careers, and keeping our communities healthy and thriving for  generations to come,” says Dr. Jennifer Burrows

Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025

Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Location: Westin Monache Resort, 50 Hillside Dr, Mammoth Lakes, CA RSVP online at mljt.org/ship

About the Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership (SHIP)

The Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership (SHIP) is a collaborative effort to align  healthcare providers, educators, workforce partners, and community leaders around  shared strategies to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce. SHIP convenings are  supported by funding from the California Jobs First grant administered by Sierra Business  Council and the Sierra K–16 Collaborative grant administered by Columbia College.

News Staff