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Community Health Worker Training
Northern Michigan University's Center for Rural Health is offering an in-person, nationally aligned Community Health Worker (NCHW) Core Competency Certification program in Houghton, MI starting June 13th, 2023.
CHWs act as a bridge between the community and public services. They provide leadership, peer education, support, and resources to support community empowerment. As members of their community, they are in a unique position to build on strengths and to address unmet health needs in their neighborhoods. Organizations with successful CHW programs build valuable connections in the communities they serve.
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Mission & Vision
Mission: The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health seeks to improve the health and well-being of Upper Peninsula residents and communities by developing collaborative partnerships that improve the access and availability of affordable, quality healthcare services.
Vision: The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health will be recognized as the regional collaborating Center committed to strengthening the rural healthcare system
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Values
Integrity: We are transparent, honest, ethical and fair and conduct business with the highest standards of professional behavior.
Agility: We respond rapidly to changes in the internal and external environment without losing momentum or vision.
Teamwork and Collaboration: We achieve common goals through open and honest communication and are supportive of each other’s efforts.
Respect and Compassion: We believe each person is worthy of respect and we share the responsibility to safeguard personal dignity.
Empowerment: We strive to provide education, tools and resources to empower individuals to make healthy and responsible choices.
Innovation & Creativity: We encourage innovative and creative ideas in problem solving.
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Recent News
Mining Journal
Rural Health Essay contest winners announced
Daily Press (print/digital)
Rural Health Essay Contest winners announced
Mining Journal
Suicide Prevention Talk Set
WNMU-FM
National Rural Health Day essay contest now open
Keweenaw Report (digital/on-air)
Rural Health Essay Opens for H.S. Seniors
Daily Press (print/digital)
Rural Health Essay Contest open to U.P. high school seniors
Northern Today (digital)
Rural Health Essay Contest Open to U.P. High School Seniors
Secondwave Media (print/digital)
New program to train health care workers in the U.P.
Network Statement from the NMU Center for Rural Health
The environmental conditions where we are raised, educated, work, and live impact our quality of life and health outcomes. Here in the U. P. of Michigan, our remote location and sparse population often result in challenges for achieving and maintaining good health. In addition to a dearth of primary and specialty health care services, the region has a large low-income population, poor health status indicators, inadequate social support, and major transportation barriers that affect access to health care services.
Partners of the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health Network have joined forces to take action through the engagement of a wide variety of public, private, and volunteer sectors. We understand that basic needs must be addressed before individuals are empowered to plan ahead and be proactive about their health. Until this is done, efforts to encourage and support preventative and routine healthcare will remain ineffective, and the progression of chronic diseases will persist.
As our network continues to grow, we will be guided by our passion and determination to cultivate a sustainable healthcare workforce and create healthy and resilient communities throughout our region.
"As the development of the Center gets underway, I look forward to connecting with individuals in our communities and creating collaborative opportunities. It is my intent to not duplicate on-going efforts, but rather to understand current initiatives, appropriately contribute (when possible), and assist by linking people together in hopes of strengthening and building upon efforts that are working throughout the nation in rural communities."
Elise Bur
Director, NMU Center for Rural Health