MINUTES WVRHEP RECRUITMENT & RETENTION COMMITTEE MEETING March 19, 2001, Days Inn, Flatwoods Attending: Linda Atkins, Shannon Bell (for Chuck Conner), Elaine Mason (for Norm Ferrari), Tom Hefner, Mike Holt, Jill Hutchinson, Mike Lewis, Imogene Foster (for Jane Martin), Jill McDaniel, Jim Nemitz, Marilyn Fox (for Lynne Welch). Staff: Alicia Tyler. Absent: Shirley Neel, Jo Ann Raines, Jessica Sharp, Bob Whitler. Guests: Dennis McCutcheon, Betsy Degges, Judy Thomas, Caryl Tilden, Sonnie Strader, Ken Stone, Ken Shannon, Jennifer Plymale. The committee chairman, Dr. Mike Lewis, opened the meeting. The minutes of the November 27th meeting were approved as corrected (Chuck Conner is a member of the subcommittee on the HSSP application process). J-1 Waiver Policies and Recruitment of Nephrologists Dr. Rick Latos, a practicing nephrologist in Wheeling, and Dr. Tony Besarab, chief of nephrology at the WVU School of Medicine, gave a presentation on the increasing demand for nephrologists (kidney specialists), both nationally and in West Virginia. Aging of the population has increased demand, but there are few nephrologists in training programs (approximately 55% are international medical graduates). West Virginia has unusually high demand because of an aging population and high rates of diabetes. Many at-risk individuals are undiagnosed and under-treated. The situation will get worse with the loss of current nephrologists (retirement, illness), nursing shortages, and an impending explosion of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patient volume. Currently, three dialysis centers cannot open new units because of nursing shortages. The presenters concluded that West Virginia needs a proactive effort to address this issue and a systematic approach to fill the gaps in the market. They emphasized that the nephrologist is typically the principal care physician for ESRD patients, and even for those with chronic kidney failure. They recommended J-1 placement policies that would facilitate the recruitment of well-trained clinicians. (A subcommittee -- Linda Atkins, Jill McDaniel, Imogene Foster, Bob Whitler, and Alicia Tyler -- will review these recommendations.) Discussion about diabetes as a risk factor followed. Hilda Heady said that she would like to work this information into the mission of WVRHEP for service learning and research. Dr. Latos said there are preventive guidelines that can be used with patients. Hilda said that training for field faculty was needed, so that they can lead IDS sessions on this topic. Dr. Latos would like to be involved in these efforts. Staff Update Alicia reported highlights from the 2001 Recruitment & Retention Report, based on data compiled by the schools, site coordinators, and agencies. Since 1991, 92 physicians, 50 nurse practitioners, and 51 physician assistants who are graduates of state programs have been recruited to rural West Virginia. About 60 percent received one or more financial incentives. The report doesn’t include pharmacists, because of problems in identifying practice sites. The WVU Office of Rural Health is working with agencies to develop a database on students/graduates who have received financial incentives (part of an evaluation funded under the WV Rural Health Access Program). HSSP Applications Alicia presented information from her discussions with NP and PA students whose applications were deferred in November. Two were approved on motion (Foster/Hefner): Pamela Edens, a WVU NP student from Greenbrier County, who will be working at the WVSOM clinic, and Heather Eglinger, an A-B College PA student, who has good job prospects in the Eastern Panhandle. The applications of Lori Cyfers (CWV PA student) and Scott Ramos (A-B College PA student), who lacked job prospects, were not approved. The application of Bill Apostolon, a WVSOM student, was approved on motion (Hutchinson/Bell). He is a native of Hinton and has worked as a paramedic for 10 years in southern West Virginia. HSSP Application Shannon Bell presented the subcommittee’s recommendations for a revised Health Sciences Scholarship Program application. The purpose is to get more relevant data from applicants and then follow up, when needed, with a phone call. The next step is to develop a format for letters of recommendation. The revised application was approved on motion (Conner/Hutchinson). J-1 Waiver Application Linda Atkins said that the Division of Recruitment is implementing changes in J-1 policies. The Division has been receiving applications for site approval with inadequate content. She asked that a subcommittee be formed to help revise the application. Members will include Chuck Conner, Tom Hefner, Jill Hutchinson, Shannon Bell, and Alicia Tyler. Graduate Medical Education Dr. Lewis will attend a national meeting on State initiatives in graduate medical education in April, which is being sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures. He will report on this at our May meeting. Workforce Roundtable Jill McDaniel said that the WV Hospital Association is holding a Health Care Workforce Invitational Roundtable in May to address broader issues in hospital workforce shortages. WVHA is surveying all hospitals for data on shortages and anticipated future shortages, and to identify best practices in recruitment and retention. Participants will include representatives of higher education, secondary education, government, business, and hospitals. The outcome will be a set of recommendations for action. Dr. Lewis reported that the state has a shortage of guidance counselors. As a consequence, they don’t have enough time for career counseling. The meeting was adjourned. Min3-19-01.doc