Healthforce Kentucky
HealthForce Kentucky is a nonprofit healthcare workforce development organization that uses a 35,000 sq. ft. simulation Innovation Center in Owensboro and two mobile simulation labs to deliver immersive training to K-12 students, post-secondary learners, and licensed professionals across Kentucky, in coalition with nine partner colleges and universities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersOwensboro, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Healthforce Kentucky does
HealthForce Kentucky is a nonprofit healthcare workforce development organization founded in 2022 as a Kentucky legislative initiative to address healthcare workforce shortages in central and western Kentucky. The organization operates a hub-and-spoke delivery model anchored by a 35,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center in Owensboro (opened February 2025) and two mobile simulation semi-trailers (HealthForce 1, deployed 2023, and HealthForce 2, deployed 2024) that travel to rural schools, colleges, and community partners across the Commonwealth. Its technology stack centers on healthcare simulation training: immersive suites, OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) suites, simulated operating rooms, anatomy labs, zSpace computers, and Anatomage virtual dissection tables, operated by staff holding international CHSE and CHSOS simulation credentials.
The organization serves three primary customer segments: K-12 students in rural communities (via Healthcare Explorer Camp for grades 7-9 and the mobile labs), post-secondary learners at nine partner colleges and universities, and licensed healthcare professionals (EMS, Fire, First Responders, Maternal and Fetal care providers) seeking continuing education. HealthForce Kentucky runs fee-based youth programs (Healthcare Explorer Camp; HealthForce Fusion overnight enrichment at $175-$225 per student) and offers Train-the-Trainer programs for educators. Since launching in late 2023, it has engaged 22,727 participants across 542 events, generated 341,000+ learner contact hours, and contributed to a 17% increase in healthcare program applications and a 6% rise in enrollment in the region.
The business model is a hybrid of state appropriations (foundational, set to expire end of 2026 per ARPA deadline), public and private grants, an Honorary Naming Rights Campaign (starting at $3,000/year), private donations, and minimal program fees. Management has publicly disclosed a strategic transition toward a self-sustaining model via consulting services, fee-based usage, equipment rentals, and annual tiered subscriptions. The organization is led by President/CEO Bruce Williams (MSN, RN, CHSE, CHSOS) and governed by a board including representatives from partner institutions such as Owensboro Community & Technical College, Western Kentucky University, University of Louisville School of Nursing, and Owensboro Regional Hospital.
Healthforce Kentucky firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Healthforce Kentucky
- Legal name
- HealthForce Kentucky
- Website
- https://healthforcekentucky.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HealthForce Kentucky is a nonprofit healthcare workforce development organization that uses a 35,000 sq. ft. simulation Innovation Center in Owensboro and two mobile simulation labs to deliver immersive training to K-12 students, post-secondary learners, and licensed professionals across Kentucky, in coalition with nine partner colleges and universities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Healthforce Kentucky industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Healthcare Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Healthcare & Clinical Simulation (Surgery, Nursing, EMT, Patient Interaction) (EDAFAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs (EDAGAEAG)
Keywords
Where Healthforce Kentucky is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Owensboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Healthforce Kentucky business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- State Appropriations: Foundational base of support from state funding, currently set to expire at end of 2026
- Public and Private Grants: Grant funding to launch and expand initiatives
- Naming Rights and Sponsorship: Honorary Naming Rights Campaign inviting community investment in transformational spaces starting at $3,000 per year
- Private Donations: Contributions from private donors whose flexible support fuels innovation
- Fee-Based Services (Future): Consulting services, fee-based usage charges, equipment rentals, and annual tiered subscription models planned for self-sustaining model
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | HealthForce Fusion Overnight Program - Dorm Option |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | HealthForce Fusion Overnight Program - Hotel Option |
| Subscription | Annual | Naming Rights Campaign |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Healthforce Kentucky product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HealthForce Kentucky transforms and expands the healthcare workforce through a hub-and-spoke model that pairs a 35,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center in Owensboro with two mobile simulation labs (HealthForce 1 and HealthForce 2) that travel to rural communities. The organization delivers immersive simulation training, healthcare career pathway programs for P-12 and postsecondary learners, continuing education for licensed professionals, and Train-the-Trainer programs for educators.
Product overview
HealthForce Kentucky is a healthcare workforce development organization operating on a hub-and-spoke model. The core offering consists of a land-based Innovation Center (35,000 sq. ft. facility in Owensboro) paired with two mobile simulation labs (HealthForce 1 and HealthForce 2) that deploy into rural communities. The organization delivers educational programs including Healthcare Explorer Camp (day camp for grades 7-9), HealthForce Fusion (overnight enrichment for high school/college students with zSpace and Anatomage technology), and Train-the-Trainer programs for educators. The hub-and-spoke framework allows post-secondary institutions and healthcare organizations to extend their reach beyond traditional campus boundaries through shared access to sophisticated simulation equipment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HealthForce 1: First mobile simulation lab and skills training semi-trailer that travels to rural communities providing career pipeline development and continuing education for licensed professionals.
- HealthForce 2
- Healthcare Explorer Camp
- HealthForce Fusion
Products and services
- HealthForce Kentucky Innovation Center A 35,000 square foot hub in Owensboro, KY for healthcare simulation, education, and research. The facility houses simulated operating rooms, OSCE suites, immersive rooms, and anatomy labs, serving as the central hub for the organization's workforce development mission. Available for tours, training sessions, and facility bookings by partner institutions.
- HealthForce 1 Mobile Simulation Lab The organization's first mobile simulation lab and skills training semi-trailer that travels to rural communities across Kentucky, providing career pipeline development for P-12 and postsecondary learners, and continuing education for licensed professionals.
- HealthForce 2 Mobile Simulation Lab The organization's second mobile simulation lab deployed to extend training reach into underserved rural communities, complementing HealthForce 1's services.
- Healthcare Explorer Camp A day camp for students entering grades 7-9, providing hands-on experiential learning in healthcare professions to inspire future healthcare workers in rural Kentucky communities.
- HealthForce Fusion An overnight enrichment experience for high school and college students featuring zSpace computers, Anatomage virtual dissection, immersive rooms, and The Pitt Escape Room simulation. Offered at $175 (dorm) or $225 (hotel) on multiple dates in June and July 2026.
- Train-the-Trainer Programs Professional development programs for educators to train them in simulation-based healthcare education methodologies, supporting the broader adoption of immersive learning.
- Healthcare Career Pathways Educational programs connecting P-12 and postsecondary learners with pathways into healthcare professions through immersive simulation training, building a local talent pipeline for healthcare organizations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22,727 participants engaged and 341,000+ learner contact hours generated since late 2023
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Healthforce Kentucky
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Healthforce Kentucky technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Healthforce Kentucky partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brescia UniversitycoreOne of nine partner colleges and universities in the HealthForce Kentucky coalition, contributing to healthcare workforce development across Kentucky
- University of Louisville School of NursingcorePartner institution providing academic expertise in nursing education through the HealthForce Kentucky coalition
- Kentucky Wesleyan CollegecoreOne of nine partner colleges and universities contributing to healthcare education pathways
- Western Kentucky UniversitycoreMajor university partner through the College of Health & Human Services, contributing to regional healthcare workforce development
- Owensboro Community & Technical CollegecoreHost institution for the Innovation Center, Board Chair organization, key partner in healthcare education delivery
- Henderson Community & Technical CollegecoreOne of five community and technical college partners in the HealthForce Kentucky coalition
- Madisonville Community CollegecoreOne of five community and technical college partners expanding healthcare education access
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical CollegecoreCommunity and technical college partner contributing to healthcare workforce pipeline
- Hopkinsville Community & Technical CollegecoreCommunity and technical college partner serving western Kentucky healthcare education needs
- Green River Regional Educational CooperativecoreP-12 educational partner providing K-12 student access and workforce pathway development
- Owensboro Regional HospitalcoreHealthcare institution partner providing clinical expertise and workforce pipeline connections
- ClearView Health ManagementminorHealthcare management partner contributing to regional healthcare workforce development initiatives
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Healthforce Kentucky competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- HOSA-Future Health Professionals: HOSA is a national student organization that develops middle school, high school, and collegiate members for careers in health professions. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky's K-12 and post-secondary healthcare career pathway work, though HOSA is an extracurricular membership organization rather than a simulation-training operator.
- Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub): RHIhub is a national clearinghouse for rural health issues, including workforce development resources and program models. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky as a thematic peer in rural healthcare workforce development, though RHIhub is an information and resource provider rather than a direct training operator.
Broad incumbents
- CAE Healthcare: CAE Healthcare is a global leader in healthcare simulation, offering simulation platforms, manikins, and training services for nursing, medical, and allied health programs. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky as a broad simulation-training incumbent, though CAE operates commercially across many regions rather than as a state workforce initiative.
- Laerdal Medical: Laerdal Medical is a major provider of medical simulation equipment, resuscitation training, and CPR education solutions used widely in nursing schools and hospitals. Comparable as a simulation incumbent whose manikins and training content overlap with the equipment ecosystem HealthForce uses in its Innovation Center and mobile labs.
- HealthStream: HealthStream is a leading provider of workforce training, compliance, and clinical development solutions for healthcare organizations, including simulation management through its SIMS platform. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky because both focus on healthcare workforce education and continuing education for clinicians, though HealthStream is a publicly traded commercial vendor rather than a regional nonprofit.
Regional players
- National AHEC Organization: The National AHEC Organization coordinates a federal network of Area Health Education Centers focused on healthcare workforce development in rural and underserved U.S. regions. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky as a similarly structured, mission-aligned workforce pipeline organization, though AHECs operate across many states with federal backing.
- Kentucky Area Health Education Centers (KY AHEC): Kentucky AHEC is a statewide network of regional centers that recruit, train, and retain health professionals in underserved Kentucky communities. Directly comparable to HealthForce Kentucky's regional rural-workforce mission, though AHEC is an academic-based program rather than a simulation-led initiative.
Direct peers
- SIMStation: SIMStation provides turnkey simulation lab infrastructure, AV systems, and training environments for healthcare educators. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky because both deliver simulation-suite infrastructure to support clinical skill training and OSCE-style assessment in nursing and allied health programs.
- SimIS: SimIS designs, builds, and operates simulation centers and provides simulation training services for healthcare and emergency-response clients. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky because both stand up and run simulation facilities and deliver training programs, though SimIS is a commercial services firm rather than a state-funded nonprofit.
- Education Management Solutions (EMS): Education Management Solutions (EMS) provides simulation management software, audio-video capture, and training services to nursing and medical schools. Comparable to HealthForce Kentucky as a direct peer in simulation-based healthcare education infrastructure and program delivery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Healthforce Kentucky social profiles
Digital presenceHealthforce Kentucky financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Healthforce Kentucky leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Healthforce Kentucky funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Healthforce Kentucky M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Healthforce Kentucky
What does Healthforce Kentucky do?
HealthForce Kentucky transforms and expands the healthcare workforce through a hub-and-spoke model that pairs a 35,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center in Owensboro with two mobile simulation labs (HealthForce 1 and HealthForce 2) that travel to rural communities. The organization delivers immersive simulation training, healthcare career pathway programs for P-12 and postsecondary learners, continuing education for licensed professionals, and Train-the-Trainer programs for educators.
Is Healthforce Kentucky a public or private company?
Healthforce Kentucky is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Healthforce Kentucky founded?
Healthforce Kentucky was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Healthforce Kentucky based?
Healthforce Kentucky is headquartered in Owensboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Healthforce Kentucky make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. State Appropriations are the primary driver. The others are public and Private Grants, naming Rights and Sponsorship, private Donations and fee-Based Services (Future).
Who are Healthforce Kentucky's main competitors?
Others on record are HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub). Broad incumbents are CAE Healthcare, Laerdal Medical and HealthStream. Regional players are National AHEC Organization and Kentucky Area Health Education Centers (KY AHEC). Direct peers are SIMStation, SimIS and Education Management Solutions (EMS).
Does Healthforce Kentucky have an API?
No public API is recorded for Healthforce Kentucky.
What industry is Healthforce Kentucky in?
Healthforce Kentucky's product category is Healthcare Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAJAC, Healthcare & Clinical Simulation (Surgery, Nursing, EMT, Patient Interaction), with a secondary code of EDAGAEAG, Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8000.