Maryland is investing $16.4 million in workforce development initiatives to address health care staffing shortages across the state’s 18 designated rural regions.
Announced in a press release from the Office of Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor, the grants are part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and will support projects designed to expand training, recruitment, and retention of health care professionals.
From the press release:
This initiative will help Maryland’s rural communities recruit new health care professionals, train allied health workers, expand apprenticeships, and retain highly skilled professionals, including registered nurses and dentists. These investments will help us build a resilient pipeline of dedicated health care workers who are rooted in the rural Maryland communities they serve, said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu.
The funding supports two initiatives: Pathways to Health Careers and Rural Incentives for Strengthening Employment in Healthcare (RISE).
Pathways to Health Careers will help prepare Marylanders for entry-level and peer-supported health care roles, including Community Health Workers and Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. The initiative supports registered apprenticeships and helps remove financial disincentives to training and certification.
RISE focuses on recruiting and retaining mid-level and advanced health care professionals, including registered nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and dentists. The program will also introduce students to health care career opportunities and provide professional development for current workers to strengthen the long-term workforce pipeline.
Grant recipients include local health departments, community colleges, and maternal and mental health organizations.
From the press release:
For example, in Southern Maryland, the Charles County Health Department will use funds to build a sustainable pipeline of dental assistants, with participants receiving education through the College of Southern Maryland and wraparound assistance to address barriers such as tuition, transportation, and uniforms.
Maryland received approximately $168 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for its first budget period in December 2025. Renewable over five years, the program aims to strengthen and modernize rural health care, improve access and affordability, and support locally driven solutions to workforce and service-delivery challenges.
