Greenlight Fund invests $600k in Denver health internships

DENVER — GreenLight Fund Denver is investing $600,000 to bring Health Career Connection to Denver, expanding paid internships for college students pursuing careers in health care, mental health and public health.

Health Career Connection, which operates in 14 regions nationwide, plans to provide paid 10-week internships, mentorship and professional development opportunities. The program aims to help college students and recent graduates enter health careers and address workforce shortages.

GreenLight Denver selected the nonprofit following a yearlong review process that included input from residents, nonprofits and community leaders. Participants identified challenges facing local college students and recent graduates seeking jobs that support the rising cost of living and offer career advancement opportunities.

Colorado is projected to face a shortage of 4,400 mental health workers by 2026 and up to 3,000 primary care physicians by 2030.

“The health of our communities and the future of healthcare is directly tied to the strength of the health workforce and to the strength of the many health organizations that serve our community,” said Rebecca Gorrell, executive director of GreenLight Denver. “HCC’s expansion to Denver will increase access to high-quality, good-paying jobs for local students and support the health field to better reflect and serve our entire community. We’re thrilled to support their expansion to Denver to advance economic mobility and opportunity for students.”

The Denver program will target students from low- to middle-income households, first-generation college students and those from underserved communities. Interns will complete project-based assignments while building professional networks and gaining career experience.

“Colorado Thrives employers are committed to supporting economic mobility for homegrown talent through opening doors to good jobs,” said Christine Heitz, chief executive officer of Colorado Thrives. “We’re excited for HCC’s expansion to Denver and see a powerful opportunity to connect local graduates to meaningful, in-demand healthcare careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs.”

Nationally, 71% of program alumni receive job offers or extended internships from host employers, while 96% of organizations hosting interns report a positive return on investment. In Denver, program leaders expect 80% of alumni to enter high-growth career pathways.

“Preparing the next generation of health leaders and professionals and increasing educational, career and economic opportunity for young adults by offering paid, mission-driven internships, clear career pathways and ongoing career advancement support is more urgent and important than ever,” said Jeffrey Oxendine, co-founder and chief executive officer of Health Career Connection. “HCC is grateful and excited to adapt our proven program in Denver. We will work together with GreenLight Denver and other area partners to expand life-changing, health career launching opportunities for local students and advance a more robust health workforce capable of improving health for all.”

CommonSpirit Health has joined the program as an employer partner and will host interns this year.

“At CommonSpirit Mountain Region, we are deeply committed to fostering a robust and diverse healthcare workforce, and the arrival of HCC in Denver is a powerful stride in that direction,” said Andrew Gaasch, Mountain Region president of CommonSpirit.

Metropolitan State University of Denver has joined as an education partner.

Applications for the summer 2026 internship program are open through Feb. 9. The program is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates interested in health careers.

GreenLight’s funding provides startup capital and strategic support for the expansion. The investment marks GreenLight Denver’s second local initiative. The organization previously helped bring HomeStart’s Renew Collaborative to Denver to address eviction rates.