Eastern Kentucky University Leads Initiative to Boost Healthcare Workforce in Central Appalachia

The Central Appalachia Health Consortium, which is made up of six schools including Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), aims to strengthen the local economy through the Appalachia Health Workforce Growth Initiative. EKU is a part of this initiative, and Dr. Michelin Bhandari serves as its project director. The consortium’s goals include developing articulation agreements, pipeline development, and inter-agency practices to increase the number of medical workers in the region.

The implementation grant application will be submitted to the Appalachian Regional Commission after a year of collaboration among the participating schools. While it is unclear what form these additional medical workers will take, Dr. Bhandari believes that this collaboration could lead to an increase in the number of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals in the region.

The one-year study will begin in July and involve 235 counties across six states: Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Dr. Bhandari emphasizes the importance of working together to provide opportunities for Central Appalachian residents who want to pursue careers in healthcare while remaining in their community. This initiative aims to facilitate education and training for individuals who wish to stay and work in this field.

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