Governor Moore and Maryland Department of Labor Announce $16.4 Million in Rural Health Transformation Program Workforce Awards

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor today announced $16.4 million in grant awards through the Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program to address critical healthcare workforce shortages in the state. These awards fund projects that are ready for rapid deployment and that will have a sustained impact.

“Every Marylander deserves quality and accessible healthcare and job opportunities, no matter their zipcode,†said Gov Moore. “Through the Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program we’re tackling healthcare workforce shortages to drive health outcomes for Maryland’s rural communities and leave no one behind.â€

“Expanding Maryland’s highly-skilled healthcare workforce requires a commitment to supporting our homegrown talent at all levels,†said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “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.â€

The awards announced today directly support two key programs aimed at bolstering and retaining healthcare professionals in Maryland’s 18 rural regions: Pathways to Health Careers and Rural Incentives for Strengthening Employment in Healthcare (RISE).

The Pathways to Health Careers initiative is designed for immediate impact: rapidly training Marylanders for entry-level and peer-supported health care roles in rural communities. The goal is to alleviate the shortage of allied health professionals, such as Community Health Workers and Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. One part of the program focuses on registered apprenticeships and the other removes financial barriers for training and certification.

The RISE program is designed to boost the retention of mid-level and advanced practice professionals in rural Maryland and to provide education and enrichment activities to future healthcare professionals. One track focuses on training, recruiting, and retaining advanced practice professionals, including registered nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and dentists. Another track exposes students to career opportunities and upskilling incumbent workers, to ensure a steady stream of talent for vital healthcare roles.

Grant recipients range from county health departments and community colleges to local maternal health care and mental health care organizations across all rural Maryland regions. 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. Also receiving funding is the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Eastern Shore Health Careers Pipeline Program, which will prepare local students in grades 6–12 for priority health occupations through career awareness, career readiness, and sustained near-peer mentorship.

A full list of grant recipients is available on the Maryland Department of Labor’s program website.

“Our rural communities face unique health care challenges and deserve an approach that addresses local needs with local solutions,†said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “This investment will provide critical support to strengthen the local health care workforce, bolster current programs and implement evidence-based strategies that will have lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of rural Maryland families.â€

In December 2025, Maryland was awarded $168 million in federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program's first budget period to strengthen and modernize health care in the state’s 18 designated rural areas. Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program funding, which is renewable over five years, will enhance the state’s ongoing efforts to improve health care access and affordability in Maryland’s rural communities. The program is facilitated by the Maryland Department of Health, with workforce components coordinated by partners including the Maryland Department of Labor.

This program is part of Maryland’s larger strategic investment in growing the healthcare workforce. It complements initiatives such as the Direct Care Workforce Innovation Program, which focuses on professions like home health aides and certified nursing assistants; the Career Pathways for Healthcare Workers Program, which focuses on incumbent healthcare worker training; and the new Maryland Pay It Forward Fund, which supports nursing students.

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Federal Funding Disclosure: The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Maryland Department of Health totaling $168,180,837.61 in budget period 1, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this release are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.

The Maryland Department of Labor strives to create an equitable and inclusive Maryland where all residents have the opportunities and resources to attain financial stability, reach their career potential, and contribute to their communities; where businesses have access to capital and the skilled workforce they need to succeed; where workplaces are safe and well-regulated; and where the economy is resilient and growing. For updates and information, follow MD Labor on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and visit our website.

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