Healthforce Kentucky

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.

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

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

• Healthcare workforce development
• Healthcare simulation training
• Mobile simulation labs
• Career pathway programs
• Continuing healthcare education

Headquarters

HQ city

Owensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Appropriations: Foundational base of support from state funding, currently set to expire at end of 2026
2. Public and Private Grants: Grant funding to launch and expand initiatives
3. Naming Rights and Sponsorship: Honorary Naming Rights Campaign inviting community investment in transformational spaces starting at $3,000 per year
4. Private Donations: Contributions from private donors whose flexible support fuels innovation
5. Fee-Based Services (Future): Consulting services, fee-based usage charges, equipment rentals, and annual tiered subscription models planned for self-sustaining model

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brescia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine partner colleges and universities in the HealthForce Kentucky coalition, contributing to healthcare workforce development across Kentucky
• University of Louisville School of NursingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution providing academic expertise in nursing education through the HealthForce Kentucky coalition
• Kentucky Wesleyan CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine partner colleges and universities contributing to healthcare education pathways
• Western Kentucky UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor university partner through the College of Health & Human Services, contributing to regional healthcare workforce development
• Owensboro Community & Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for the Innovation Center, Board Chair organization, key partner in healthcare education delivery
• Henderson Community & Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five community and technical college partners in the HealthForce Kentucky coalition
• Madisonville Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five community and technical college partners expanding healthcare education access
• Elizabethtown Community & Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity and technical college partner contributing to healthcare workforce pipeline
• Hopkinsville Community & Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity and technical college partner serving western Kentucky healthcare education needs
• Green River Regional Educational CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerP-12 educational partner providing K-12 student access and workforce pathway development
• Owensboro Regional HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution partner providing clinical expertise and workforce pipeline connections
• ClearView Health ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare management partner contributing to regional healthcare workforce development initiatives

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HealthForceKY
• Facebookfacebook.com/healthforceky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/healthforce-kentucky
• Instagraminstagram.com/healthforceky

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Healthforce Kentucky