Shining a Light on ACE MV’s Wellness Workforce Program

The ACE MV Career Explorations: Wellness Workforce program introduces students to local healthcare pathways, with introductory seminars offered in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Island Health Care, and a CNA training with Upper Cape Tech. In 2024, ACE MV supported over 35 students in the Wellness Workforce program, with 15 of these students working towards becoming Certified Nursing Assistants, filling a critical hiring gap on the Island.

Learn more about our program by reading our recent interview with Laura Edelman, ACE MV’s Wellness Workforce program facilitator.

Meet Laura Edelman

ACE MV’s Wellness Workforce Program Facilitator

Tell us a bit about your personal background in healthcare and why it is something you chose to pursue as a career?

I have been working in healthcare and education for almost 30 years! When I graduated from college, I decided to go to graduate school for public health because I was really interested in the social, cultural and economic factors that influence people’s health.  I focused on maternal and child health and when I graduated with my Masters in Public Health, I moved to Boston, where I worked at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. 

I have also been interested in integrative medicine, particularly acupuncture, for a long time. I was first introduced to acupuncture as a college student when I was dealing with post-surgical pain from gymnastics-related injuries. Acupuncture helped me tremendously and opened my eyes to other systems of healing and healthcare around the world.  So, in addition to working in public health education and outreach, I went back to school to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and have been a Licensed Acupuncturist for 25 years. I have lived on Martha’s Vineyard full-time for 14 years and continued my work in education and healthcare here as well.  I was the Education Director with the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head/Aquinnah and then taught health education at the West Tisbury School for 10 years.  All along, I’ve also maintained my private acupuncture practice.

What is the Wellness Workforce Program at ACE MV? And how does your role tie into it? 

In the Wellness Workforce Career Explorations Program, we help adult learners on MV who are interested in pursuing careers in healthcare.  Some people have a clear idea of what they want to do and I help connect them with trainings and financial support.  Other people are interested in careers in healthcare, but not yet sure of exactly what they want to do.  Many of these people participate in our “Health Professions Seminar” where they learn about different healthcare jobs and organizations on the Island.  Sometimes I also provide individual one-on-one support to help people identify healthcare career pathways that are exciting to them.

What are your favorite aspects of working with students in the Wellness Workforce program?

All of the students who participate in the programs are enthusiastic and motivated to find careers in healthcare. They often have had experience taking care of family members and want to build on that experience. I love helping them to discover their interests and then supporting them as they pursue their career goals. There is also a huge need for more healthcare providers on the island, so it feels rewarding to support not just the needs of the individual learners, but also the community as a whole.

Do you have any tips for somebody who is interested in a career in healthcare?

Making personal connections with healthcare providers is a great way to gain insight into what their jobs are like. Our “Healthcare Professions Seminar” helps foster those connections, so I would definitely recommend participating in that! Also, if someone is interested in a particular healthcare organization or type of work, I would suggest reaching out and seeing if there are volunteer opportunities. That way, they can get more first-hand knowledge about the career and at the same time benefit the community.

Student Testimonial

“I recently took part in the Health Professional Seminar led by Laura Edelman. I was immediately struck by her friendly nature and positive energy. She is incredibly personable and insightful, and it’s evident that she truly cares about the people she’s helping. Not only did she offer guidance and encouragement to me, but she also helped my daughter make some meaningful connections. I believe Laura has a gift for making people feel seen and supported, and she’s truly an incredible asset in her role as the healthcare program facilitator.”

-Health Professions Seminar Participant