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Health West honored as MCIA Employer of the Year; county officials praise internship-to-hire results
Summary
Health West received the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance Employer of the Year award; presenter Laurie Evans told the board Health West placed over 100 interns in three years and converted 67% of those interns to hires, which county commissioners welcomed as evidence of local workforce development success.
Health West was recognized July 24 by the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners after Laurie Evans, talent acquisition and onboarding coordinator, told the board the organization won the MCIA Employer of the Year Award.
Evans explained MCIA stands for the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance and said the award honors employers who promote internships, education and workforce development. "We've placed over 100 interns in collaboration with 23 different colleges and universities... Ultimately, we've hired 67 of those graduating interns," Evans said, citing a 67 percent internship-to-hire placement rate.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the statistic was notable because the county and its partner agencies struggle to recruit and retain master's-level clinicians and other hard-to-fill positions. Several commissioners congratulated Health West and noted the importance of local partnerships with universities.
What the record shows: Evans credited Grand Valley State University for the nomination and described internal practices — training and internship placement — that the organization uses to recruit staff. Commissioners responded with appreciation and asked for follow-up reports on progress at the new facility whose lease the board recently approved.
Next steps: No formal board action was required; commissioners asked to receive updates as Health West moves forward with its new facility and internship programs.
