Our Trusted Partners
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About
Healthcare Pathway Advocates
At Healthcare Pathway Advocates (HPA), we believe a student's zip code should never dictate their potential. As a California nonprofit fiscally sponsored by Community Initiatives, our heart lies in connecting high school students in rural and underserved communities to thriving, high-impact careers in allied health.
We are proud to walk alongside families and educators across Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties. Through active partnerships with four dedicated school districts. Amador County Unified, Calaveras Unified, Mariposa County Unified, and Patterson Joint Unified- we are actively bridging the gap between the classroom and a rewarding career.
Through our signature Allied Healthcare Bridge Initiative, students are given a true head start. They can complete the 90-Day Medical Assistant Mastery Course, gain hands-on experience through job shadowing with local healthcare heroes, and receive dedicated, one-on-one mentorship every step of the way. Serving the students of the Mother Lode, Sierra Nevada, and San Joaquin Valley regions.
Best of all, thanks to the incredible grant funding from our partners like the Centene Foundation and Health Net, our students pay nothing out of pocket. Wraparound support covers everything from certification fees to opening doors to over 80 paid internship placements each year at $17 per hour. Students gain real-world confidence stepping into vital local roles, including:
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Medical Assistant
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
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Phlebotomist
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Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
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Pharmacy Technician
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Radiologic Technician
Together with our schools, hospitals, and community leaders, we aren't just filling staffing shortages; we are investing in local talent, lifting up our youth, and creating a healthier, brighter future for everyone across the Mother Lode Region.
12 High Schools
1300+ Students
80+ Internships
Helping Generate Health Science Trained Professionals
Making Real-World Impact
Career Ready Pathways
Our partner high schools offer outstanding Health Pathway Programs that blend hands-on learning, mentorship, and dual enrollment opportunities, preparing students for immediate employment and ongoing educational success
Collaborative Ecosystem
We foster dynamic, mutually beneficial relationships between schools and healthcare employers. By working together, we ensure that students receive top-tier training while local healthcare organizations help shape and benefit from a skilled, reliable workforce pipeline.
Real World Experience
Through our strong partnerships with local healthcare providers, students gain access to paid internships and immersive job shadowing, allowing seniors to build essential skills, earn industry-recognized credentials, and make valuable connections.
Focusing on High Demand Careers
Our programs spotlight the fastest-growing allied health roles, giving students a clear view of in-demand career opportunities and empowering them to make informed decisions for their future.
Our Founders
Our team is comprised of dedicated leaders who established the vision
and foundation of Healthcare Pathway Advocates.
Paul De Baldo, MBA
Retired Business and Market Developer, Health Science Career Pathway Advocates, Founder
Join us as we invest in local talent
Strengthen our communities and create a healthier future for everyone in the Mother Lode Region. Together, we’re not just filling jobs; we’re launching meaningful careers and transforming lives.
Board Members
Our Board of Directors serves as the strategic backbone of our organization, providing the oversight and guidance necessary to fulfill our mission.
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Join us in building the next generation of healthcare professionals, right here, at home.
The Core Goals of
Healthcare Pathway Advocates:
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Expand Career Access: Provide all students with the opportunity to thrive in meaningful healthcare careers, ensuring that a student's zip code does not dictate their potential.
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Strengthen the Healthcare Workforce: Address urgent staffing shortages by developing a skilled pipeline of allied health professionals for rural and underserved communities in the Mother Lode Region.
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Build Collaborative Networks: Create a robust ecosystem that brings together high schools, colleges, and healthcare providers to bridge the gap between classroom learning and career success.
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Equip Students for Success: Provide students with comprehensive instruction, hands-on learning, mentorship, and paid internships to gain the academic knowledge and technical skills needed for employment or further education.
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Provide Wraparound Support: Offer seamless transitions from high school to college or the workforce, empowering students to become leaders within their communities.
Thank You
Thank you, Scott Nanik, former Calaveras County Superintendent, and Mark Campbell, former Calaveras Unified School District Superintendent, for allowing us the opportunity to work with their staff to build the outstanding model health pathway program at Calaveras High School. Special thanks to Dave Duggan, Media Director of Bret Harte School District, for his invaluable assistance and support. We also extend our gratitude to Suzanne Butler, Lead Teacher, and her teaching partner for their contributions. Stephanie Attaway for building a program that will be a 4-year program starting with the 2023/24 school year. We also want to thank Terri Tanner, former HS Counselor, for her support of the program, and Kevin Hesser for the work he helped with writing grants and helping us find the needed resources to support the program.