Register for health care attorneys spring conference
The 2023 legislative session has seen several bills passed affecting hospitals. The 2023 Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys Spring Conference will provide updates for hospital and health care attorneys and compliance personnel about legislation and regulations.

Attorneys from Baird Holm, Dorsey and Whitney, Finley Law Firm, Heidman Law Firm, MercyOne and UnityPoint Health will provide updates about tort reform, case law and health care transactions. Participants also will hear an update about IHA’s legislative priorities and learn more about mental health and Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative.

The conference is scheduled from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, and is sponsored by Finley Law Firm

Iowa HHS opens provider loan repayment program
Applications are being accepted for the Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment program offered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The program helps improve access to primary health care by offering loan repayment assistance for medical, dental and mental health practitioners in Iowa.

In exchange, practitioners must complete a minimum two-year full-time or four-year half-time service obligation at an eligible practice site in a federally designated health professional shortage area.

HHS is hosting an application webinar today at 9 a.m. A recording of the webinar will be available on the program page under the "Links" section. Pre-applications are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, and final applications are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 28.

HRSA announces new funding for health care careers
The Health Resources and Services Administration is awarding $13.5 million to fund up to 21 grants to health or allied health profession schools for five years. The Health Careers Opportunities Program provides opportunities for people from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to develop their skills to complete a health profession degree or certificate.

Eligible applicants include accredited schools of:

• Medicine.
• Osteopathic medicine.
• Public health.
• Dentistry.
• Veterinary medicine.
• Optometry.
• Pharmacy.
• Allied health.
• Chiropractic medicine.
• Podiatric medicine.
• Public and nonprofit private schools that offer graduate programs in behavioral and mental health.
• Programs that train physician assistants.
• Other public or private nonprofit health or educational entities able to carry out the activities of the program, including community colleges, technical colleges and tribal colleges.

HRSA will host a technical assistance webinar scheduled from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11. Applications are due Tuesday, May 23.

Medical Solutions helps build nursing pipeline
This month, ServiShare partner Medical Solutions digs into the importance of educating and engaging future nurses as early as high school to help build the health care workforce for generations to come. Its new Building the Pipeline document outlines ways to foster college and high school partnerships, non-nursing scholarships and pay-to-learn opportunities, which can ensure workforce longevity. Read about these programs you can explore and implement, the processes and the expected outcomes to grow your facility’s pipeline.