The Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC), an AAMC-led coalition of nearly 70 national organizations, hosted a March 14 briefing titled, “HRSA Workforce Development: Shaping the Health Care Workforce for Underserved Communities.”
Speakers included:
- Janice Berry Edwards, MSW, PhD, associate professor at Howard University School of Social Work;
- Kevin Lohenry, PhD, PA-C, clinical professor of family medicine and director of USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program, vice chair for educational affairs, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine; and
- Julie Sochalski, PhD, FAAN, RN, associate professor of nursing, associate dean for academic programs, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
The speakers discussed their work with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development and diversity pipeline programs. During the discussion, the speakers detailed how Title VII and VIII grants funded at their institutions create pipeline programs for underrepresented minorities and prepare a modern and interprofessional health care workforce that serves of the needs for underserved and rural areas.
The panelists discussed how federal funding for Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training, Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, and Nursing Workforce Training programs have led to a more diverse workforce who are motivated to practice in medically underserved areas.
As budget negotiations continue for FY 2020, HPNEC recommends $690 million for HRSA Titles VII and VII programs in order for the panelists to continue their important work.