SPH Director Alice Gates Helps Shape Oregon’s Behavioral Health Workforce
We are thrilled to highlight Dr. Alice Gates (Associate Professor and Director of the Rural Public Health Practice Initiative) for her critical role on the Governor’s Behavioral Health Talent Council. Under the leadership of First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, the Council recently released a landmark Comprehensive Action Plan to address the systemic workforce crisis facing Oregon.
As one of 22 experts on the Council, Dr. Gates helped develop 17 action plans and 74 strategies aimed at stabilizing the behavioral health sector. Her contributions specifically focused on the Education and Training subcommittee, where she advocated for:
- Curriculum Alignment: Ensuring academic programs reflect the real-world needs of Oregon’s diverse communities.
- Sustainable Pathways: Creating clearer transitions from graduation to licensure to reduce early-career burnout.
- Rural Support: Strengthening training pipelines for providers in underserved areas.
“We must build the workforce of tomorrow,” Gates noted in the report. “The Council’s plans create clear pathways into behavioral health careers and build support systems so early-career professionals can sustain long, healthy careers.”
The Governor’s Office will now move toward implementing these strategies through executive action and legislative funding.
