The NoCo Health Sector Partnership (HSP) held its fourth-quarter All-Partner Meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at High Country Beverage, bringing together a diverse group of 74 attendees. Among them, 52 were industry partners and 22 represented ancillary support partners. This meeting was a great opportunity to share updates, celebrate achievements, and discuss the ongoing work of the health sector in Northern Colorado.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our Breakfast Sponsor, BrightStar Care, and to Love & Latte, who provided coffee and breakfast for all attendees. Their support helped kick off the morning with great energy and conversation.
BrightStar Care Overview
Bryanna Smith from BrightStar Care kicked off the presentations by providing an overview of the organization’s comprehensive services. BrightStar Care offers a wide range of in-home care, including respite care, medical staffing, and memory care. Their services cater to individuals at all stages of life and care needs, from companionship and personal care provided by CNAs to full-spectrum skilled nursing services delivered by registered nurses.
BrightStar Care is Class A Licensed and Joint Commission Accredited, ensuring high standards of care. They accept various payment options such as Private Pay, TriWest/VA benefits, long-term care insurance, and workers’ compensation. Additionally, they partner with numerous nonprofit, county, and city programs, enhancing accessibility and financial sustainability for their clients.
Sector Partnership Milestones
Anna Von Dreele of Columbine Health Systems highlighted the impressive work of the NoCo Health Sector Partnership over the past 12 years. As one of the oldest and longest-standing sector partnerships in the nation, the NoCo Health Sector Partnership has consistently worked to improve healthcare access, workforce development, and overall community health.
We are also excited to announce that Nicole Prins of Pathways has accepted the role of Leadership Chair, stepping up to guide the partnership’s continued success and progress in the Northern Colorado healthcare sector.
Engaging the Next Generation: NoCo K–12 Work-Based Learning Collaborative
Nick Peterson of Poudre School District and Susan Scott of Thompson School District shared updates on the NoCo K–12 Work-Based Learning Collaborative, a program designed to connect high school students with healthcare career pathways. Students from Poudre, Thompson, and Weld RE-5J school districts were also in attendance and participated in a lively discussion about healthcare careers.
Discussion topics included:
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What inspired you to pursue a medical or healthcare program in high school?
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What areas of healthcare are you most curious about?
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How do you see healthcare impacting your local community?
This collaboration highlights the value of engaging young students in exploring healthcare careers early, providing them with valuable insights and opportunities to shape their future in the sector.
Committee Updates
Mark Longshore of the Colorado Nurses Association shared a key update on the Legislative Advocacy Committee. The committee’s mission is to:
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Educate policymakers about critical healthcare issues affecting our community.
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Advocate for evidence-based legislation to promote disease prevention, health promotion, and public health infrastructure.
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Build relationships with legislators and regulatory agencies to communicate the needs of healthcare professionals and patients effectively.
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Monitor and respond to proposed healthcare legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
If you’re interested in joining the Legislative Advocacy Committee, visit nocohealthsector.org for more details.
Additionally, Phoebe Phelps of Banner Health provided updates on both the Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Better Serving the Aging Committee. These committees play vital roles in addressing the needs of the healthcare workforce and the aging population in our community.
All committees meet once a month for one hour, and members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining any of these committees or have specific topics you would like to see addressed in the healthcare sector, please visit nocohealthsector.org or reach out to the respective committee chairs or co-chairs.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming All-Partner Meeting
We are excited to announce that the next Quarterly All-Partner Meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at High Country Beverage. Stay tuned for more details and a registration link coming soon!
The NoCo Health Sector Partnership continues to be a dynamic force for positive change in the healthcare landscape of Northern Colorado. Together, we can drive progress, advocate for necessary policies, and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting!