Baltimore, Md.—The Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) was presented with an exemplary service award from The President's Roundtable and The Aspen Group for its role in helping to reverse Baltimore's critical shortage of health care workers.

"Thanks to the efforts of the BACH board and partners, Baltimore residents will be afforded the opportunity to prepare for skilled positions in health care professions with the most serious shortages," said Guy Madison of the Aspen Group.

Ronald Hearn, BACH's executive director, accepted the award at a Feb. 20 luncheon held at the city's annual Minority Business Summit, a two-day networking and information-sharing event led by top business leaders.

"It is quite an honor and privilege to be recognized by the business community for our efforts," said Hearn. "But our work would not be possible without the commitment of the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) and our many partners in health care, business and education who, like BACH, are focused on improving workforce opportunities for all citizens of Baltimore."

Working with local hospitals, community colleges, government, public schools and others, BACH has created a system for preparing citizens for health care careers through various on-the-job, work-based training, career coaching and remediation programs.

Last year, BACH partnered with six local hospitals and Baltimore City Public Schools to introduce a paid internship program for high school students interested in careers in critical care. "Working with the city's youth is yet another way we are keeping up-and-coming talent in the health care pipeline," Hearn explained.