Innovation Challenge Invests in Creative Ideas to Support Our Healthcare Workforce

We all want a healthcare system that is responsive and available when we need it. It is essential that New Hampshire has enough highly skilled and trained healthcare workers available to staff hospitals, healthcare centers, and other provider offices across the state -- accessible to all New Hampshire residents and communities.

In recent years New Hampshire’s healthcare sector has faced increasing difficulties in attracting and retaining enough workers to meet the current and future needs of the state. This challenge contributes to long waiting times for appointments with providers and sometimes the need to drive long distances to access care.

HealthForce NH is on a mission to help attract and retain healthcare workers to meet the today's needs and build a strong system for the future. An initiative of the Foundation for Healthy Communities, HealthForce NH provides a central hub for the wide array of hospitals, community health centers, and other providers seeking to attract and retain vital positions across the state.  HealthForce’s work is guided by the NH Giving Care Strategic Plan. Released in 2022, the Giving Care Plan was the result of a collaborative process to develop a roadmap to ensure our healthcare system has the necessary workforce and services for New Hampshire's health.

Sparking Creative Solutions

To spark the development of creative solutions that support and expand the healthcare workforce, HealthForce NH launched the Innovation Challenge in 2024. This pitch competition promotes creative ideas to solve the workforce shortage. The top three projects receive cash awards to support project implementation. with first-, second-, and third-place awards of up to $100,000, $60,000, and $40,000 respectively.

The winners of the 2025 Innovation Challenge were announced on April 14 following the final stage of the competition held at NHTI – Concord’s Community College.

This year’s first-place winner was the International Institute of New England (IINE) for its “LNA for Success” program, which aims to provide a range of supports to increase the number of immigrants in the healthcare workforce. The program focuses on supportive programs to create more licensed nursing assistants, or LNAs. Through the program, the IINE will build upon its established partnership model to support more immigrants to advance their English-speaking skills, access clinical training, and achieve certification to become LNAs and begin their journey building a rewarding career in the healthcare field.

“This initiative contributes to strong retention rates in the healthcare sector, a field where skilled workers are needed more than ever,” said Kate Luczko, senior director of HealthForce NH.

The second-place winner of the 2025 Innovation Challenge is Offloader AI of Bedford. The project uses a new multi-lingual AI resource tool that helps healthcare teams complete some tasks, saving time to boost efficiency. The ability to use AI technology in this way can help to reduce employee burnout and free more time to focus on patient care.

The third-place winner is Southern New Hampshire Health (SNHH) of Nashua for a project designed to support navigating career pathways. The project titled “Career Quest: Charting Your Health Care Pathway” is a collaboration with Major Choice, LLC, aimed at helping people who are re-entering the workforce or seeking jobs with greater potential for meaningful health careers.

Visit the HealthForce NH website to learn more about the Innovation Challenge and this year’s award winners.

Building a Strong Healthcare System for All

Healthcare is projected to add almost 10,000 jobs to the economy by 2030 and it is the fastest growing employment sector in the state.

HealthForce NH recently launched a new website designed to provide a welcoming portal to help attract new healthcare workers to the state and to connect current residents to new opportunities within the field. The website helps individuals explore healthcare career opportunities, connect with certification and training, find financial supports, and build pathways to a rewarding career. The site offers information related to key aspects of living and working in New Hampshire, including cost of living, housing, childcare, transportation, and other resources related to quality of life.

We all benefit when we have a strong healthcare workforce. New Hampshire’s economy and our shared prosperity depend on our ability to create solutions that will make quality, affordable healthcare more accessible for everyone in the Granite State.

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