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History
In October 2003, the Illinois Hospital Association hosted a DuPage Healthcare
Summit, where educators and health care providers met to address health
care workforce shortages. A panel comprised of health care employers
and educators offered insight on some of the solutions and barriers
faced by both of these groups.
Some of the barriers discussed included a shortage of health care educators; a lack of career awareness among potential students; limited classroom, clinical and lab space; and overall limited seating for various programs.
During the summit, solutions were also explored and recommendations were made by participating health care professionals, and an independent consultant was hired by College of DuPage. In order to maintain the momentum of the summit and drive forward the outlined intiatives, it was agreed by those in attendance that key executives from area health care organizations form a Healthcare Leadership Council.
In February 2004, the Healthcare Leadership Council held its first official meeting. Comprized of key executives, employees and educators from area health care organizations, the Council's purpose was to address health care workforce shortages throughout DuPage County.
Through a continued collaborative effort, Council partners agreed to combine efforts in developing education programs that would increase the "candidate pipeline" of potential health care workers. This creation of a strong, collaborative health care training and educational effort would serve the Council's mission of meeting the needs of both new students, current health care workers and, ultimately, their communities.
In 2006, the Council changed its name to DuPage Area Healthcare Leadership
Council (DAHLC) to reflect its diverse representation of members who
collaborate on various intitiatives utilizing a regional approach. At the same time, academic and health care organizations from Kane County joined the DAHLC as members in an effort to regionalize the projects of the Council.
Jeri Lynn Else
Manager, Strategic Healthcare Partnerships
(630) 942-2855
