GreenLight Fund Invests $600,000 in Health Career Connection’s Expansion to Denver

Opening opportunities in health careers for young adults

Denver, CO – January 14, 2026 – GreenLight Fund Denver today announces a $600,000 investment to bring Health Career Connection (HCC) to Denver. HCC, a national leader in health workforce development operating in 14 regions across the country, will expand access to paid, career-launching internships for college students in healthcare, mental health and public health. Over the next four years, hundreds of young adults will gain the skills, networks and support needed to advance as health professionals and future leaders, strengthening the regions’ health workforce.

GreenLight Denver led a year-long process to identify, select, and invest in an evidence-based nonprofit that could significantly remove barriers to economic mobility. Hundreds of Denver residents, nonprofits, and community leaders provided input and contributed to the selection process, including a local Selection Advisory Council, made up of a diverse group of leaders representing a cross-section of the community. Residents and leaders elevated the continued challenges that local college students and recent graduates face to secure jobs that pay enough to afford the rising cost of living and can lead to professional careers. Colorado’s shortages in primary care and mental health positions were also elevated throughout the process. Colorado is predicted to face a deficit of 4,400 mental health workers in 2026 and up to 3,000 primary care physicians by 2030.

“The health of our communities and the future of healthcare is directly tied to the strength of the health workforce and to the strength of the many health organizations that serve our community,” said Rebecca Gorrell, GreenLight Denver Executive Director. “HCC’s expansion to Denver will increase access to high-quality, good-paying jobs for local students and support the health field to better reflect and serve our entire community. We’re thrilled to support their expansion to Denver to advance economic mobility and opportunity for students.”

In Denver, HCC will match local college students – particularly students with low- to middle incomes, those who are first in their families to attend college and those from underserved communities – with internships, mentorship and professional development leading to high-demand, living-wage health careers. HCC’s program is an innovative 10-week paid educational internship where students gain hands-on experience, contribute to meaningful projects and build their professional skills and networks.

HCC’s robust programming arms interns with the skills necessary to advance and lead in an ever-evolving health industry. HCC provides ongoing professional development to interns and a strong network for program alumni. They form vital connections and serve as a pipeline of talent and active contributors to health solutions within their organizations and communities.

“Colorado Thrives employers are committed to supporting economic mobility for homegrown talent through opening doors to good jobs,” said Christine Heitz, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Thrives. “We’re excited for HCC’s expansion to Denver and see a powerful opportunity to connect local graduates to meaningful, in-demand healthcare careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs. Colorado Thrives is proud to support and partner with GreenLight Fund in advancing solutions that tackle our state’s challenges head-on.”

Nationally, 71% of alumni receive job offers or extended internships from their host site employers, with 96% of organizations hosting interns reporting a positive return on investment. In Denver, HCC expects 80% of alumni will enter high-growth career pathways, increasing earning power and long-term economic mobility.

“Preparing the next generation of health leaders and professionals and increasing educational, career and economic opportunity for young adults by offering paid, mission-driven internships, clear career pathways and ongoing career advancement support is more urgent and important than ever,” said Jeffrey Oxendine, Co-founder and CEO of Health Career Connection. “HCC is grateful and excited to adapt our proven program in Denver. We will work together with GreenLight Denver and other area partners to expand life-changing, health career launching opportunities for local students and advance a more robust health workforce capable of improving health for all.”

Area partners will include educational institutions, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and health employers. CommonSpirit Health has joined as an inaugural employer partner, hosting interns this year.

“At CommonSpirit Mountain Region, we are deeply committed to fostering a robust and diverse healthcare workforce, and the arrival of HCC in Denver is a powerful stride in that direction,” said Andrew Gaasch, Mountain Region President, CommonSpirit. “This initiative directly addresses the urgent need to cultivate talented and compassionate individuals who reflect the communities we serve. By providing paid, career-launching internships, HCC will not only empower hundreds of local college students with invaluable skills and professional networks, but it will also bolster our region’s resilience against projected shortages in critical areas like primary care and mental health. We look forward to collaborating with HCC to create a vibrant pipeline of future healthcare leaders, ensuring that high-quality, accessible care remains a hallmark of our community for generations to come.”

Metropolitan State University of Denver has signed on as an educational institution partner.

“Metropolitan State University of Denver is committed to providing equitable access to education and clear pathways to meaningful, well-paid careers for our diverse student community. I appreciate the opportunity to represent MSU Denver on GreenLight’s Selection Advisory Council and be part of efforts that strengthen our city,” said Kaycee Gerhart, Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs, Metropolitan State University of Denver. “HCC’s goals strongly align with our own focus on workforce readiness and preparing students for lifelong success. We’re grateful to GreenLight Denver for making this partnership possible and supporting collaborative solutions that strengthen both our students and our city.”

Applications for the summer June 2026 Internship are now being accepted until February 9th and can be found on HCC’s website –https://healthcareerconnection.org/2026-program-registration/. Undergraduate students and recent graduates exploring health careers are encouraged to apply.

Organizations interested in partnering with Health Career Connection can contact [email protected] to learn more.

GreenLight’s investment provides critical multiyear startup capital and on-the-ground strategic support. This is GreenLight Denver’s second investment in response to community-identified needs. Last year, GreenLight brought HomeStart’s Renew Collaborative to Denver to address rising eviction rates.