Essence and Bronson Healthcare Named 2026 Michigan Works! Southwest Impact Award Recipients

Each year, Michigan Works! Agencies recognize individuals and employers whose partnership demonstrates the power of workforce development to transform lives and strengthen communities. This year, Essence and Bronson Healthcare have been selected as the 2026 Michigan Works! Impact Award recipients for the Michigan Works! Southwest service area.

The Impact Awards are a statewide celebration recognizing the economic impact of newly created jobs, transformational training, and effective talent pipeline development across Michigan. During the event, state legislators present tributes to award recipients, who share their stories and highlight the role Michigan Works! played in their success. These awards honor the individuals, businesses, and partners who are strengthening Michigan’s economy by creating jobs and developing fresh talent.

Among the many employers Michigan Works! Southwest proudly serves; Bronson Healthcare continues to stand out as a strong partner in workforce development. The organization has worked closely with Michigan Works! Southwest to create pathways for individuals seeking careers in healthcare while supporting talent development across Southwest Michigan.

Michigan Works! Southwest currently serves as an apprenticeship intermediary for Bronson Healthcare, holding the standards for two healthcare occupations with two additional programs in development. Bronson has also been a recipient of the Going PRO Talent Fund, supporting workforce training and skill development for employees.

In addition, Bronson Healthcare actively participates in Employer of the Day events and job fairs hosted at Michigan Works! Southwest service centers, helping connect job seekers with career opportunities in healthcare. The organization is also a strong supporter of MiCareerQuest™ Southwest, sponsoring the large-scale career exploration event and showcasing interactive career booths across multiple departments to introduce students to healthcare careers.

While Bronson’s commitment to workforce development makes a significant regional impact, Essence’s personal journey highlights how these partnerships can transform individual lives.

Essence began her journey with the Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope. (PATH) program through Michigan Works! Southwest in September 2024. As a single parent with previous patient care experience, she was determined to continue building her career in healthcare by becoming a Medical Assistant. However, like many individuals pursuing training, she faced barriers that could have prevented her from reaching her goals, including transportation and childcare challenges.

With the support of her Michigan Works! Southwest PATH Career Coach and program resources, Essence enrolled in Medical Assistant training. Through determination and dedication, she successfully completed the program in January 2025. Her hard work set her apart as Essence graduated top of her class, received a pin for excellence, and was selected as the class spokesperson.

Following graduation, Essence completed an internship at Borgess Neurology in Kalamazoo, where she gained valuable hands-on experience and further developed her clinical skills. After completing her internship, she received job offers from two local healthcare systems and ultimately accepted a position with Bronson Internal Medicine as a Medical Assistant, earning $21.56 per hour.

Throughout her training and career journey, Michigan Works! Southwest and community partners worked together to help Essence overcome the barriers she faced. Through the PATH program and collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, she secured childcare that aligned with her training and work schedule. She also received assistance with clothing and transportation, including a vehicle with registration and insurance to ensure she could reliably travel to work.

As a result of her dedication and engagement in the program, Essence achieved self-sufficiency, leading to the closure of her Family Independence Program case in May 2025. In August 2025, she successfully completed her participation in the PATH program.

Bronson Healthcare has continued to support Essence’s professional growth and encourage her to pursue her goals in the healthcare field. Through Bronson’s support, Essence continues to grow in her career. She now works at Bronson Family Medicine and is pursuing her nursing degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College while continuing to gain valuable healthcare experience.

Her journey stands as a powerful example that with determination, support, and access to opportunity, individuals can overcome barriers and build meaningful careers that change the trajectory of their lives.

Together, Essence and Bronson Healthcare represent what the Michigan Works! Impact Awards are all about; transformational training, strong employer partnerships, and the creation of meaningful career opportunities that strengthen Michigan’s economy and communities.

 

Watch Essence’s Story: