Sullivan Alliance Media

Webcast Link:
http://www.webcastgroup.com/client/start.asp?wid=0680515084079
Powerpoint Presentations:
LEADERSHIP IN ACADEMIC ALLIANCES: THE VIRGINIA / NEBRASKA MODEL
Transforming America’s Health Professions: Strategies for Developing State Alliances
 
More minority physicians needed in workforce
 
David Satcher, M.D., director, Center of Excellence on Health Disparities, Morehouse School of Medicine - Atlanta
A recent USA TODAY article correctly noted the dwindling supply of primary care physicians. I will add that, for racial and ethnic groups, the lack of family doctors, general internists and general pediatricians is already a serious problem and getting worse ("Doctor shortage: Primary care losing its prestige," Cover story, News, Aug. 18).
 

African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos and Native Americans together represent 25% of the U.S. population, but only 6% of U.S. physicians. Not coincidentally, racial and ethnic health disparities have remained persistent and actually widened in most categories while the general health of the nation has improved.
The value of a diverse physician workforce is well understood. For example, minority physicians are more likely to choose primary care and practice in underserved areas. And research shows that patient satisfaction increases with access to a health care professional of the same racial or ethnic background.
Unfortunately, the country's racial and ethnic diversity is not reflected in our medical schools. More than 86% of medical schools are expanding enrollment, but programs to attract minority students are shutting. We need to go in the opposite direction.
Of the African Americans who earn doctorates in medicine, dentistry and the biomedical sciences, 15% graduate from the Morehouse School of Medicine and three other historically black academic health centers. All medical schools need to recruit minority students aggressively, and scholarships will be critical.
Dr. Regina Benjamin's nomination as surgeon general is a clarion call. We need more medical students to follow her path into primary care, serving rural and minority communities.
Additional Links
The alliance of Virginia and Nebraska:http://www.vanealliance.com/The Sullivan Commission Report:http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/pdf/SullivanReport.pdfIn the nation’s compelling interest:http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3740/4888/18287.aspx