Center for Pathways to Healthcare Careers
From Access to Achievement
The Center for Pathways to Healthcare Careers (PHC) is GRAAHI’s educational and career-readiness arm, advancing equity by connecting underrepresented learners of all ages to access healthcare career pathways through immersive hands-on exploratory and clinical simulation experiences designed to ignite curiosity, deepen skill development, and strengthen long-term educational and career outcomes.
A Workforce That Reflects Our Community
By 2040, we aim to help build a healthcare workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Advancing Healthcare Leadership
By 2040, we aim to help cultivate a strong network of African American and Latinx healthcare leaders across West Michigan.
Expanding Early Pathways into Healthcare
We’re working to increase West Michigan student’s exposure to advanced healthcare careers throughout the K–12 experience.
700+
advising and engagement hours
350+
total students served
5
students transitioned into the workplace
20+
total scholarships distributed
Our Programs
Click on a program name to learn more
My Pace
My Pace is the Center’s flagship program that guides students from 3rd grade through adulthood on a clear path toward healthcare careers. Through hands-on experiences, college tours, and exposure to professionals of color, we help underrepresented learners explore, prepare for, and succeed in every stage of their educational and professional journey.
Emerging Healthcare Leaders Scholarship
The Emerging Leaders Scholarship financially supports the academic journey of My Pace members as they transition from high school to college, college to professional school, or into terminal degree programs. Created to honor and advance the legacy of educational excellence, this scholarship helps underrepresented students move confidently through every stage of their healthcare career path.
Professional Development
The Professional Development Program equips My Pace members with the tools, skills, and confidence to thrive in healthcare careers. Led by diverse professionals from across West Michigan and beyond, this series offers hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world insight to prepare students for the workforce and their future.
Black Womb Worker Agency
The Black Womb Worker Agency connects families with certified doulas who provide compassionate, culturally rooted support before, during, and after birth. We take care of the paperwork and Medicaid billing so you can focus on your body, your baby, and your voice surrounded by people who see you, hear you, and advocate for you every step of the way.
Doula Certification Program
The Black Womb Worker – Doula Certificate Program is GRAAHI’s doula initiative that equips community members with the skills and support to become professional birth doulas. Focused on addressing Black maternal health disparities, this initiative provides culturally-rooted education, certification pathways to the birth work vocation, and real-world experience to build a more equitable birth workforce.
Resources Available
Provider Directory
Find local healthcare providers and specialists who understand the needs of our community
Health Resource Library
Access resources, articles, videos, and tools to support your health journey – anytime, anywhere
Health Literacy Project
This project was done to improve healthcare disparities in the Grand Rapids community and identify key barriers
Our Partner Institutions
Our Workforce Development Partners
Your Support Fuels This Impact
Our progress is made possible by community support. Every contribution helps expand access, strengthen programs, and create lasting change across West Michigan.