The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation has awarded grants worth a total of $603,000 to health-focused organizations in Western Colorado.

 Grants from a new workforce development fund are intended to help address a shortage of health care providers by supporting women, people of color and people with low incomes beginning or furthering careers in health care or behavioral health care.

The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation board of directors approved funding to a total of 23 organizations from 10 Western Slope counties to help fund scholarships, paid internships and living-expense stipends for those pursuing health care- and behavioral health-related certifications and degrees as well as professional supervision for licensure.

The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation was established in 2017 when UnitedHealth Group purchased Rocky Mountain Health Plans and set aside $38 million to promote health and well-being in Western Slope counties. For more information, visit https://rmhealth.org.