RWJF News Digest - Building Human Capital

Missouri Universities Partner for New Osteopathic Doctorate Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Missouri Southern State University and Kansas City University of Medicine in Biosciences have announced plans to partner on a new osteopathic medical doctorate program, the Associated Press reports.

New Jersey College Receives Approval for LPN Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The New Jersey Board of Nursing has granted approval to Cumberland County College in Vineland to offer a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, the Vineland Daily Journal reports.

Nebraska Medical School to Launch Satellite Campus in Arizona

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Omaha, Neb.-based Creighton University has announced plans to partner with Phoenix, Ariz.-based St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center to open a satellite medical school campus, the Omaha World-Herald reports.

New Jersey Universities Partner to Open New Medical School

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

New Jersey Gov. John Corzine (D) has signed an executive order establishing a new four-year medical school in Camden that Rowan University and Cooper University Hospital will jointly operate, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Arizona Schools Producing More Doctors of Osteopathy Than Medical Doctors

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A shortage of medical school opportunities, coupled with a rise in the number of schools graduating doctors of osteopathy (DO), is altering the medical practice landscape in Arizona, the Arizona Daily Star reports.

Medical School Professors Call for Fourth-Year Curriculum Reform to Combat 'Senioritis'

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in the July issue of the Academic Medicine Journal suggests that a lack of structure in the fourth year of medical school prompts many students to develop unproductive behaviors, necessitating a need for a redesign of final-year curricula, U.S. News & World Report reports.

Ohio Hospital to Offer Family Medicine Residency Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lancaster, Ohio-based Fairfield Medical Center has received approval from the American Osteopathic Association to launch a Family Medicine Residency Program, the Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports.

Missouri University to Launch Accelerated Nursing Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Cape Girardeau-based Southeast Missouri State University has announced plans to offer an accelerated nursing degree program, the Southeast Missourian reports.

Aging Primary Care Physicians Reluctantly Forgo Retirement Because of Poor Recruitment Pipeline

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A shortage of medical school graduates opting to pursue primary care and family medicine practice is resulting in some aging physicians reluctantly delaying retirement, MSNBC reports.

Report Suggests More Hospitals Employing Physicians, Paying Signing Bonuses

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Signaling hospitals' heightened interest in physician employment, Merritt Hawkins & Associates' 16th annual review of physician recruitment patterns finds that hospitals remained the top medical setting for physician recruitment assignments, the Wall Street Journal reports.

California Assembly Votes for Doctoral Degree Program in Nursing at CSU

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The California Assembly has approved a measure that will allow California State University (CSU) to offer a doctorate degree program in nursing, the Turlock Journal reports.

Fundraising Campaign Yields $15.5 Million for Maryland Nursing Schools

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Donors have pledged $15.5 million over five years to help double the number of nurse graduates in Maryland, the Washington Business Journal reports.

Lawmakers Consider Relaxing Immigration Policies to Curb Nurse Shortage

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In the face of a shortage of domestic nurses, lawmakers are considering several measures that would make it easier for foreign-trained nurses to practice in the United States, Business Week reports.

Primary Care Physician Shortage to Factor Into Health Reform Efforts

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As lawmakers work to draft broader health care reform policies, they are also considering several measures aimed at bolstering the primary care physician workforce, the Washington Post reports.

Study Suggests Wii Game Could Help Train Surgical Residents

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new study suggests that the Nintendo Wii video console may help surgeons improve their fine motor skills and surgical performance, Fox News reports.

North Carolina Colleges Host Medical Camp for High School Students

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A coalition of North Carolina educational institutions will once again this summer host a camp dedicated to exposing high school students to health careers, the Lexington Dispatch reports.

Texas Governor Signs Bill to Bolster Physician Ranks in the State

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has approved a measure that will provide loan repayment incentives to physicians who agree to practice in the state's underserved areas, the Amarillo Globe-News reports.

Virginia University Receives Early Approval for DNP Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Harrisonburg, Va.-based James Madison University has received approval to offer a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, WHSV reports.

Study Suggests Current Recession May Ease R.N. Deficit, but Shortages Still Expected

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published online in Health Affairs as part of a series on nursing workforce issues suggests that, although the recession is helping to offset a decade-long R.N. shortage, industry experts anticipate large shortages in the next decade as the current aging workforce retires, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Improving Nurse Environment Improves Hospital Outcomes, Patient Satisfaction, Study Finds

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published online in Health Affairs as part of a series on nursing workforce issues suggests that improving nurses' work environments may enhance patient experience and care quality, AHA News Now reports.

North Dakota Medical School Recognized for Producing the Most Family Practice Physicians

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The American Academy of Family Physicians has ranked the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences as the top medical school in the country for graduating family medicine physicians, the Associated Press reports.

Wisconsin Awards Grants to Evaluate Health Care Workforce Shortages

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Medical College of Wisconsin has granted $300,000 over three years to support efforts to assess the current and projected health care workforce needs in the state, the Business Journal of Milwaukee reports.

Illinois Workforce Group to Launch Hybrid L.P.N.-to-R.N. Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Several Southern Illinois hospitals and colleges are joining together to offer a hybrid, online associate nursing degree program in an effort to address a regional nursing shortage, the Mt. Vernon Register-News reports.

Colorado Education Group Aims to Spark Interest in Rural Health Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In an effort to address a shortage of health care professionals in rural parts of Colorado, the Colorado Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the University of Colorado at Denver are offering a program aimed at spurring interest in rural health care, 9News.com reports.

Virginia Tech to Offer Master of Public Health Degree

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Blacksburg-based Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) has announced plans to launch a master of public health degree program to address a shortage of public health professionals in the state, the Associated Press reports.

Infection-Prevention Specialists Report Shrinking Budgets

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new survey from the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) suggests that, despite the increasing prevalence of health care-associated infections (HAIs), many hospitals are cutting infection prevention programs, Modern Healthcare reports.

California College Announces Plans for Paramedic-to-R.N. Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif. has announced plans to launch a degree program designed to prepare paramedics to become R.N.s, the Santa Clarita Signal reports.

Minnesota College to Offer Four-Year Health Informatics Degree

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Minneapolis-based Dunwoody College of Technology is slated to this fall launch a four-year degree program in health informatics and several other high-demand health care fields, the Minneapolis Downtown Journal reports.

Hospitals Use Simulation Training Labs to Promote Culture of Safety

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Several hospitals are leveraging simulation technology, which has long been employed to teach clinical techniques, to train clinicians to foster a culture of safety, HealthLeaders Media reports.

New York Lawmakers Consider Giving NPs Greater Independence

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

New York lawmakers are considering a series of measures aimed at granting Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in the state more autonomy in patient care decisions, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reports.

Rhode Island Lawmakers Consider Providing Tax Credit to Nurse Faculty Members

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Members of a Rhode Island Senate Commission are sponsoring a bill that would provide tax credits to faculty at Rhode Island nursing programs, the Rhode Island Catholic reports.

California School Launches CNA Training Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Advanced Medical School of Nursing, a California-based vocational school, has launched an accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program in Pittsburg, Calif., the Contra Costa Times reports.

HHS Makes $200M in Stimulus Funds Available to Bolster Physician Ranks

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of nearly $200 million provided from the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 to support recruitment of primary care, dental and mental health clinicians to underserved areas, AHA News Now reports.

Wisconsin Lawmaker Reintroduces Health Care Retraining Bill

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) has reintroduced a measure that would provide $25 million in grants to colleges and other institutions to retrain displaced workers in regions with high unemployment rates, Modern Healthcare reports.

Report Suggests Changing Medical Curricula to Reflect Evolving Role of Physicians

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A report released by a group of researchers, physicians and science educators suggests changing medical education to require "a set of competencies rather than a checklist of courses," potentially setting the stage for broad changes to U.S. medical school curricula, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Alabama University Receives Gift to Support Nursing, Medical Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The University of West Alabama has received $1.5 million from the Community Health Systems Professional Services Corporation to support a new partnership formed to increase the state's pool of physicians and nurses, WTOK reports.

Report Documents Dentist Shortage in California

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Despite efforts to recruit and retain dental practitioners in California, a new report from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Health Policy Research suggests that dentist shortages persist in many counties, the Los Angeles Times reports.

New Dental School Considered for Maine University

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The University of New England in Maine is developing a plan to establish a dental school at its Portland campus in an effort to enhance the quality of dental care provided throughout the state, the Bangor Daily News reports.

Florida University Receives Funding for New Medical Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Miami-based Florida International University has received a donation from the nonprofit Green Family Foundation to establish a community medicine program designed to improve the care quality provided to underserved communities in South Florida, the Miami Herald reports.

Virginia Medical School to Open Satellite Campus

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg has announced plans to open a satellite campus in Spartanburg, S.C., the Spartanburg Herald Journal reports.

RWJF Launches Initiative to Bolster New Jersey Nursing Workforce

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has partnered with the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation to launch a five-year, $22-million initiative aimed at bolstering the state's nursing workforce, HealthLeaders Media reports.

Missouri to Launch Effort to Bolster State's Health Care Workforce

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) has announced plans to launch a $40-million initiative designed to train and prepare more than 900 students statewide to enter high-demand health care careers, including nursing, primary care, dentistry and pharmacology, the St. Joseph News-Press reports.

Michigan College Launches Military Medic-to-R.N. Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lansing Community College in Michigan has announced plans to launch a training program that will prepare military medics to become R.N.s, the Lansing State Journal reports.

Surgical Community Forms Group to Bolster Surgeon Pipeline

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Spurred by a looming surgeon shortage, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has launched an effort to bolster the nation's surgeon pipeline, Modern Physician reports.

California Funds State Nursing Programs to Stem Nursing Shortage

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency has announced plans to award $60 million from the Workforce Investment Act to support the state's nursing education programs, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Rural Health Association Launches Group for Medical Students, Health Professionals

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has announced plans to launch a student constituency group for medical students and other budding health professionals interested in practicing in rural areas, AAFP News Now reports.

New Jersey Dental Group Opens Training Facility in High School

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation has teamed with Newark Public Schools to open the Delta Dental Careers Center at Newark-based Central High School, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Lawmaker Introduces Measure to Ease Nurse Visa Shortage, Enhance Opportunities for U.S. Nurses

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Florida Rep. Robert Wexler (D) has introduced a measure that would reserve 20,000 employment visas per year for the next three years for foreign-educated R.N.s and physical therapists, AHA News Now reports.

Maryland Awards Grants to Bolster Nurse Education Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Maryland's Health Services Cost Review Commission has announced it will award $20.1 million to support 18 nursing programs in the state in an effort to address the nursing workforce shortage in Maryland, WBALTV.com reports.

Nevada College Sees Uptick in CNA Program Enrollment Driven by Economic Recession

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Laid-off workers and high school graduates anxious to enter the job market are aggressively pursuing careers in the certified nursing assistant (CNA) field, the Las Vegas Sun reports.

Ohio Schools Launch Paramedic-to-R.N. Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Ohio-based Lorain County Community College and four Kent State University campuses have announced plans to offer a program to train paramedics to become R.N.s, MedCity News reports.

Study Finds IOM Recommendations for Resident Work-Hour Caps Carry Steep Price

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that proposed changes to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) resident work-hour restrictions could annually cost academic medical centers $1.6 billion in labor costs associated with transferring excess work from residents to substitute providers, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Medical Schools Tapping Smartphones for Learning, Clinical Practice

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Medical schools are increasingly employing smartphones, such as the BlackBerry and iPhone, to enhance learning and better prepare students for a significantly information-technology driven practice environment, the Washington Post reports.

Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Address Physician, Nurse Shortages

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Pennsylvania Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D) has introduced a bill that outlines several efforts to avert an anticipated shortage of physicians and nurses practicing primary care, Modern Healthcare reports.

Michigan Colleges to Offer Joint Accelerated Nursing Degree Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Detroit-based Marygrove College and Oakland University have announced plans to partner on an accelerated second-degree nursing program, WWJ Newsradio reports.

Limited Nurse Openings Highlight Need for Advanced Education, Greater Experience

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As the current economic downturn results in fewer nurse openings and hospitals become more selective in their hiring practices, new nursing graduates are finding that they often lack the education and skills desired for current practice in the health care field, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports.

Ohio School to Offer Training Program for Nurse Aides

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new program dedicated to training State-Tested Nurse Aides (STNAs) is slated to launch in Youngstown, Ohio, the Youngstown Vindicator reports.

Minnesota Stakeholders Nudge Providers Toward Rural Practice

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Minnesota government officials, universities and hospitals are taking steps to increase the supply of physicians in the state's rural communities amid a shortage of primary care services, Minnesota Public Radio reports.

New Jersey Program Helps Unemployed Transition to Health Care Jobs

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The New Jersey-based Morris County Workforce Investment Board has announced plans to participate in the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program to help unemployed individuals find jobs in the health care field, the Parsippany Daily Record reports.

Hospitals Working to Remedy Lab Tech Shortages

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In light of the growing shortage of hospital lab technicians, which received renewed attention during the recent swine flu outbreak, hospitals and professional organizations are making efforts to fund training programs and recruit more workers, the Wall Street Journal reports that.

Federal Budget Proposal Requests Increased Support for Nursing Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Seeking to strengthen the health care workforce, President Barack Obama has requested $125 million for the federal Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP), HealthLeaders Media reports.

Group Recommends Expanding Nurses' Role in Primary Care

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Speaking recently to a group of health care leaders as part of the American Academy of Nursing's (AAN) "Raise the Voice" campaign, Donna Shalala, former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and chair of the campaign, contends that changes to the primary care provider workforce are necessary to mitigate barriers to providing routine health care services, HealthLeaders Media reports.

UC Berkeley to Launch Training Program for Public Health Professionals

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The University of California (UC), Berkeley has received funding from Kaiser Permanente to launch a program designed to address the dearth of highly skilled public health workers in underserved areas throughout the state, the San Francisco Business Times reports.

Loan Program Addresses Kansas Rural Physician Shortage

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Kansas Medical Student Loan Program is making efforts to reduce physician shortages in rural Kansas, the Associated Press reports.

Health Care Leaders Turn to Physician Re-Entry to Address Physician Shortage

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As a nationwide physician shortage persists and experts predict even greater shortages in the near future, industry leaders are exploring ways to address the dearth by focusing efforts on physician re-entry, HealthLeaders Media reports.

Proposed Legislation Would Lift Long-Standing Cap on Residency Positions

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have introduced legislation that would increase the number of Medicare-supported residency positions by 15 percent, adding approximately 15,000 training slots and making strides toward alleviating projected physician shortages, Modern Healthcare reports.

UCLA Receives Funding to Increase Pipeline of Foreign-Trained Physicians

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has received a five-year, $2 million grant from Kaiser Permanente to bolster the ranks of foreign-trained physicians practicing in medically underserved areas throughout the state, the San Francisco Business Times reports.

Mentorship Program Encourages Middle School Students to Pursue Health Care Careers

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Several physicians at California-based Kaiser Permanente are participating in a program designed to spark interest in health care professions among middle school students, the Ventura County Star reports.