CANTON — The Northern AHEC in Canton will receive a share of $47 million in Federal funding to help address workforce shortages in healthcare. 

The announcement comes from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who announced the funding as part of a larger $130 million funding package to help “assist and revitalize New York’s overburdened health care system.” 

“New York is currently facing a significant health care worker shortage and strain on our public health infrastructure that is burdening workers and patients alike. The $130 million I fought for will play a fundamental role in easing this burden and building the capacity of our health care workforce across the state,” said Senator Gillibrand.

Local New York AHECs attempt to address workforce shortages “by introducing high school students to careers in health care and working with local nursing, medical, and physician assistant schools to provide students an opportunity to understand the social and cultural factors that influence an individual’s overall health and access to quality care,” officials say.