Hummingbird Initiative takes flight at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center

The Hummingbird Initiative is a collaborative effort by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).

Veterans might face challenging situations during their service and when they transition back to civilian life. They might experience stress and trauma from combat, which can lead to issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.

In 2023, more than 1.7 million Veterans received mental health care services through VA. Ensuring specialized mental health care access is crucial for assisting Veterans in readjusting to civilian life, managing mental and physical health and accessing support networks to reduce the risk of suicide.

Empowering future mental health care professionals

Colorado is expected to have a shortage of 36,000 health care workers by 2026, including in the mental health sector.

Dr. Katie Bakes, the medical director of the Hummingbird Initiative at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC, saw this as a chance to help shape the future of Veterans’ mental health care.

“By participating in the Hummingbird Initiative, we hope to cultivate a pipeline of mental health care professionals adept to Veterans’ unique mental health care needs,” said Dr. Bakes.

The year-long initiative introduces students to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, depression and anxiety.

Clinical foundations for Veterans mental health care 

Participation in the Hummingbird Initiative is limited to students in grades nine through 12 enrolled in one of the six participating Colorado high schools in Denver, Aurora or the San Luis Valley.

Students interested in the Hummingbird Initiative should speak with their counselor first to see if the program fits their schedule. Students must complete an application and interview before being accepted. Once accepted, students begin by establishing essential clinical foundations.

“Students must complete a medical terminology, anatomy and physiology boot camp,” said Dr. Bakes. “They must also complete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient privacy, personal protection and professionalism training. Students must pass all those competencies before they can rotate and do a shadowing experience.”

Once students complete the first training phase, they receive their short blue coats, which signify they are ready for the clinical environment. They will shadow VA professionals, such as community outreach specialists, substance abuse counselors, social workers, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists.

Opening academic and career pathways 

The initiative will help students earn stacking degrees, which means getting a certification first, then an associate degree and then a bachelor’s degree. The program offers other training opportunities, such as courses in mental health first aid, trauma-informed care and substance use disorders, opioid addiction and Narcan use.

Every student will have the chance to enroll in a certified nurse assistant (CNA), medical assistant (MA) or emergency medical technician (EMT) program, which is often required for entry-level positions in mental health care careers.

Students will not be providing direct patient care.

After the program, students can access Hummingbird Initiative mentors and staff while working in the health care industry or pursuing higher education.

Achieving diversity and inclusivity in health care 

The initiative also aims to increase access to careers in mental health for high school students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, low-income families and areas with limited access to educational resources in mental health care.

“Diversity of thought and lived experience is essential to treating future generations of Veterans,” said Dr. Bakes. “By opening doors for students from underrepresented communities, many of whom may also pursue military pathways, the program bridges generations, linking aspiring mental health care professionals with Veterans from various eras.”

Diverse representation in health care ensures patients from different cultures receive culturally competent care.

“By promoting diversity in health care, we’re ensuring VA reflects the diversity of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Bakes. “This helps to address disparities because patients are more likely to trust and seek help from doctors who understand and can relate to their background and experiences.

Anticipated benefits for Veterans

Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC’s participation in the Hummingbird Initiative offers hope, promising a diverse workforce that is better trained, more compassionate and ready to meet the growing demands of Veteran health care.

“Students who train at VA tend to seek employment at VA, ensuring we retain them directly benefits our Veterans,” said Dr. Bakes. “This program ensures that Veteran health care is delivered by professionals who understand and are dedicated to addressing their unique needs.”

Looking ahead

VA plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of health care in the United States through its extensive training programs for Health Professions Trainees (HPTs).

Around 120,000 HPTs receive clinical training at VA facilities annually. This comprehensive training is enabled through VA’s academic affiliations with over 1,800 educational institutions across the country, including 97% of all U.S. medical schools.

VA’s educational programs are diverse and cover critical areas of health care, such as medical and dental education, nursing education, associated health education and advanced fellowships.

By integrating hands-on clinical training with academic learning, VA contributes significantly to developing a health care workforce that is well-equipped to provide high-quality care to our nation’s Veterans. Programs like the Hummingbird Initiative are evidence of this commitment.

Jesus Flores is a writer and editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran