This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. What began as an initiative from the University of Utah President’s Office evolved into Proxima, a benefit company dedicated to expanding access to education and training, and building a consistent pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals to meet growing demand. CEO, Richard Saunders, joins us with more.
Richard Saunders:
What makes Proxima unique is its focus on building a new healthcare workforce from communities facing the greatest barriers to education and training. We connect with individuals lacking the resources to get started — whether it’s a recent high school graduate, or a mom returning to work, or even a foreign-trained medical professional — and we help them enroll in Utah’s colleges and universities.
Through skills training, resume support, and interview prep, we guide them into healthcare careers with advancement plans that are supported by their employers. Proxima is not reshuffling the existing workforce — we’re creating a new one, while increasing college enrollment among those least likely to enroll without support.
Our Scholars are launching careers in hospitals, clinics, and residential facilities across Utah. The impact is real — not only for individuals, or their families, but also for the employers. We’re seeing lives change. Proxima’s vision is to simplify pathways into higher education and healthcare through strong partnerships with communities and employers statewide.
Derek Miller:
With support from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Proxima is making higher education and healthcare careers more accessible. To see how this work is driving real change, visit ProximaCareers.org. I’m Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.
