On the right path: Governor Jared Polis visits Lutheran

Lutheran’s own Maria Rodriguez, Isabelle Lee and Bridget Raley, RN, posed on the helipad with Governor Jared Polis during his recent visit to our campus to celebrate our Pathfinders Program—a workforce innovation initiative designed to address staffing shortages in healthcare and expand access to meaningful, living-wage careers.

“By providing pathways for people to gain the skills to succeed, we are building a stronger, more equipped healthcare workforce,” Polis said.

Rodriguez and Lee are participants in the program. Already full-time Lutheran caregivers, Rodriguez is applying for nursing school and starting her pre-reqs; Lee starts nursing school this fall. Raley, our House Supervisor and Float Pool manager, oversees this program, which helps Lutheran identify, develop and hire much-needed bedside clinicians.

Our Pathfinders Program is funded thanks to a $1.9 million Opportunity Now Grant from the State of Colorado, established to place Coloradans into good, living-wage, high-skill, in-demand jobs. It’s a perfect match for careers and opportunities at Lutheran:

• Four CNAs already have completed the program.

• Two have been accepted into nursing school for Fall 2025.

• Four more participants are joining soon!

This program isn’t just about jobs—it’s about removing barriers. Many Pathfinders face systemic obstacles, from financial strain to difficulty accessing education. Through this initiative, they receive:

•  Full-time employment from day one.

•  Paid CNA training and portable credentials.

•  Career and financial coaching.

•  Tuition support, medical premium assistance, transportation passes and more.

Medical Staff members who feel they might know the perfect Lutheran Pathfinder and would like to know more about the program can contact Raley via email.