Who Will Take Care of Us?
The Looming Physician Shortage 

September 12, 2008
8:30 – 10:00 AM (coffee & networking at 8:00 AM)
Davenport University – DOWNTOWN CAMPUS – Meeting Rooms
415 E Fulton - Grand Rapids MI 49503

You’ve heard about the nursing shortage… and maybe even the shortage in other health care positions such as radiology technicians.  Did you know that there is also a physician shortage? The government predicts a shortage of 85,000 physicians by 2020, and some experts have projected a shortfall as high as 200,000 by then.

What is causing the physician shortage?  Does it share some of the same reasons as the nursing shortage?  Is just primary care affected or is there a shortage of specialists as well?  We have a new medical school in Grand Rapids – how much will it help?  Why can’t we just train more doctors?  Medicine has always been thought to be a rewarding career, both in helping people and taking home a big pay check.  Has this changed?  If so, why?  What will a shortage mean in terms of access to health care?  What about quality of care?  Many in West Michigan are working to make the area a destination for care, a place to come when you need to see the “best” doctor for the care you need.  In an era of shortage, how will this be affected?  Will we still be able to attract the “best” doctors?

How is the American Medical Association addressing these issues on a national basis?  What is being done here in Michigan?  Our guest speaker is the immediate past president of the American Medical Association.  Don’t miss this forum and your opportunity to hear Dr. Ron Davis lead the discussion, with Drs. Forzley and Coggan providing state and local perspectives.  

Guest Speaker:
Ronald M. Davis, MD, Immediate Past President, American Medical Association 

Moderator & Speaker:
Gregory Forzley, MD, Medical Director of Informatics, Saint Mary’s Health Care & Chair, Board of Directors, Michigan State Medical Society 

Speaker:
Peter Coggan, MD, MSEd, President & CEO, Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center

RSVP by noon Thursday, September 11th - email: alliancenotices@afh.org, fax or phone.
 

This forum will be broadcast on Grand Rapids area cable station 24, Livewire, at 7:00 PM, Friday, September 26, 2008.