The Health Care Work Force

Friday, February 1, 2008
8:30 - 10:00 AM (coffee & networking at 8 AM)
Davenport University LETTINGA CAMPUS – Meeting Room
6191 Kraft Ave SE - Grand Rapids MI 49512
(Call 616-248-3820 for a map to be faxed or emailed) 

Health care continues to be the fastest growing work force sector in West Michigan.  The nursing shortage, X-ray technician shortages, physical therapist and nursing aide shortages – we have been hearing about shortages in the health care field for some time now.  What is the current situation in West Michigan?  What is being done about it?  

In 2003, the Alliance for Health sponsored a Nursing Summit, where health care and business leaders from throughout West Michigan identified problems and potential solutions to help relieve the nursing shortage.  The West Michigan Nursing Advisory Council, in following up on findings from the summit, has been innovative and successful in implementing several new strategies to address the situation.  Late in 2004, the Alliance for Health and five Michigan Works! agencies convened the West Central Michigan Regional Skills Alliance (RSA), with the help of a State grant, to work with educators and employers to address shortages in allied health occupations.  This work was supplemented the following year with a WIRED (Workforce Investment in Economic Development) grant to explore systemic and long-term changes to attract people into the health care field, strengthen the match between supply and demand and retain individuals with career development opportunities. 

Come to the February forum to learn more about these activities and what is on the horizon to help address health care work force issues. 

Moderator
Win Irwin, President, Irwin Seating Company 

Panelists
Beverly Drake, Executive Director, ACSET and Michigan Works! - Kent & Allegan Counties

Phyllis Gendler, PhD, Professor, Kirkhof School of Nursing, Grand Valley State University; Past Chair, West Michigan Nursing Advisory Council

Ron Waetzman, Vice President, Michigan Health Council

Floyd Wilson, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Metro Health Hospital 

RSVP by noon January 31, 2008
Email:  alliancenotices@afh.org