Iowa news
Tom Clark begins new job as MercyOne Western Iowa president
Tom Clark, 62, was tapped this winter to become the president of MercyOne Western Iowa, the division of the Iowa-based MercyOne health system that includes MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and MercyOne’s various clinics in the area. Formerly an executive with Avera Health in Sioux Falls and a high-ranking health care administrator who’s worked in the industry more than 40 years, Clark replaces Beth Hughes, who took a position with a health care system in Buffalo, New York, last year. (Sioux City Journal)
Four IHA member systems make Becker’s 150 top places to work in health care
Becker’s Healthcare’s 2023 list of 150 top places to work in health care includes four Iowa Hospital Association system members: Mayo Clinic Health System, Sanford Health System, Trinity Health and UnityPoint Health. This list is meant to call attention to hospitals, health systems and health care companies that invest in their employees’ well-being, satisfaction and fulfillment. The organizations highlighted on this list provide comprehensive benefits packages, opportunities for professional development, inclusive work environments and the flexibility needed for a true work-life balance. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Eastern Iowa health care providers recruit CMAs amid shortage
Physician offices and clinics in eastern Iowa are working to attract certified medical assistants amid a shortage. An open house at Northeast Iowa Community College saw businesses offering programs that would make training free for students. Medical Associates in Dubuque said their clinic would pay for a student’s one-year program in exchange for the student working for them afterward. Many other incentives are being offered by various health organizations to attract CMAs. (KCRG)
National news
Number of medical school seniors, graduates matched to residency slots grows
The National Resident Matching Program has matched 37,690 medical school seniors and graduates to U.S. residency positions, 2% more than last year. Applicants include students and graduates of U.S. and international medical schools. About 93% of the record 40,375 residency positions offered were filled, including 94% of primary care positions. (American Hospital Association)
Drug shortages are rising and pose a national security risk, new report warns
Children’s medicines, antibiotics and treatment for ADHD are among a number of drugs that have been in short supply in recent months and these shortages of critical medicines are only rising, according to a new report prepared by Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. These shortages, which reached a peak of 295 individual drugs in shortage at the end of 2022, have left health care professionals grappling with limited resources to treat patients in need. The committee recommends that Congress require the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services to conduct supply-chain risk assessments for drug shortages and identify potential national security concerns. (NBC News)
Google plans to boost Medicaid information during redeterminations
Google announced a slew of new health initiatives, including bolstering Search to help Medicaid enrollees during redeterminations, an updated version of its medical artificial intelligence that can answer clinical questions and a digital health app development infrastructure. Among the other announcements during the tech giant’s annual health care event, Google said it will make Medicaid information easier to find for people looking to re-enroll when states resume their eligibility checks. The checks, which were paused during the COVID-19 public health emergency, will resume in April and could cause some 18 million Americans to lose Medicaid coverage. (HealthcareDive)