OrthoWorx Sponsors Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Regional Forum

On Wednesday, June 21st the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) hosted one of their five Regional Forums at the Whitko Career Academy. The northeast Indiana Regional Forum, which was focused on Career Training, was sponsored by OrthoWorx and focused on collaborations in Whitley County to address critical issues and how Next Level Whitney County led to the formation of the Whitko Career
Academy (WCA). The day included about 80 participants that toured WCA, participated in some strategic planning tips and featured two panels, one of which was moderated by OrthoWorx’s Talent Director, Nichole Rouached.

The industry focused panel included several OrthoWorx partners, Miriel McFarland, Director of Education & Training at Instrumental Machine & Development, Travis Christman, VP of Quality &
Regulatory at Medartis and Andrea LaBarbera, VP of Global Talent for Zimmer Biomet. During the discussion panelists talked about how important education programs like the Whitko Career Academy are to the future of the workforce and the issues that employers are facing regarding the current talent crisis and employability of the next generation. They also discussed the programs and initiatives their respective organizations have created to support their employees. The panel answered questions from the audience about internships, working with diverse talent and how or if they would work with the schools in the absence of a talent crisis. It was hard for industry to imagine a different talent market, but the need to educational collaboration will always remain and curriculum and projects need to be tailored to medical device and advanced manufacturing for the region.

The WCA helps students identify career pathways as early as eighth grade while leveraging instructors and mentors embedded in the local workforce. It also offers training for adults and support services for formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition back into the community. One attendee, CEO of K21 Health Foundation Rich Haddad noted, “The entire experience at the event was eye-opening, as I realized how much connection there is in the challenge our community faces in talent recruitment and retention. Quality of life, wellness opportunities, and other life experiences matter greatly to the people who provide the workforce needed to our businesses. I really enjoyed the story of how the Whitko Career Academy was developed and the great tour during the day to see all the different ways they are training the workforce of our future. If they can do it, other communities can as well, very inspiring.” During the tour, attendees were able to check out the robust facilities at the Whitko Career Academy such as the Machine and Manufacturing Lab with CNC machinery, labs for plasma cutting, engineering and welding, a full industrial kitchen, an ag barn, a greenhouse, and two health science labs for students to practice patient care.

The Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) is the largest network serving philanthropy in Indiana. They are a community of foundations, companies, and other social investors working together to lead change, increase impact, and improve outcomes for Hoosiers. Through investing in the state’s charitable organizations, convening local leaders, collaborating on critical issues, seeking innovative solutions, sharing knowledge, and advocating; they leverage their collective voice to increase the impact of Indiana philanthropy. IPA supports grant makers in all 92 Indiana counties. Collectively, Indiana’s over 1,200 foundations award more that $2 billion in grants each year.

The IPA Regional Forums feature interactive case studies of exceptional cross-sector partnerships across Indiana. They are an opportunity to join project collaborators as they share inspiring stories of forming partnerships, leveraging assets, and achieving impressive results. Nichole Rouached noted, “We’re so grateful to IPA for hosting this event at an exceptional educational program. OrthoWorx is committed to supporting both education and industry in creating transformative experiences that lead students to meaningful careers. WCA has been a model for this, leveraging resources to address a myriad of talent issues. How they simultaneously support high school students and formerly incarcerated individuals that are transitioning back into the workforce is something that Kosciusko County and our partners in the Orthopedic Capital of the World® will continue to benefit from as industry collaborations with education grow.”

About OrthoWorx

Formed in 2009 with initial funding from the Lilly Endowment through the Orthopedics Capital Foundation, OrthoWorx initiatives feature community-based strategic collaborations with the orthopedic industry and other community partners to ensure that the Warsaw region continues to reap the social and economic benefits that derive from its position as the Orthopedic Capital of the World®