Facing Healthcare Staffing Shortages in Rural Indiana
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOne of the biggest challenges in rural America is finding quality healthcare and a big reason is a shortage of healthcare professionals.
In an effort to address that need, IU Health Tipton Hospital has received $700,000 in grants for projects focused on attracting and retaining surgeons in rural areas and enhancing nurses’ professional development.
According to the health system, the Tipton County Foundation and the IU Health Foundation have each awarded $250,000 toward the fellowship.
The fellowship will create a one- to two-year surgical rotation at IU Health Tipton Hospital. While the physician will ger clinic experience in the operating room, Tipton-area residents will be able to undergo surgical procedures closer to home.
Meanwhile the two foundations also each earmarked $100,000 towards a nursing project to address a spate of nurse retirements in the next five to 10 years.
“The size and scope of these grants are unprecedented at IU Health Tipton,” said Steve Wertz, chair of the IU Health Tipton Hospital board of directors. “They’re a great example of philanthropy standing in the gap to help pilot and launch some key programs.”
IU Health says the nursing project will focus on education, leadership and community connection for the 83 nurses at the hospital.
Five of the hospital’s nine nursing leaders will be eligible for retirement in the next five to seven years, according to IU Health. To fill the gap and to encourage nurses to pursue advanced degrees, the hospital will now offer help with continuing education.