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Initiatives Online

March 2001

Melton Testifies on Shortage of Health Care Professionals


Brandon Melton, vice president of human resources for Catholic Health Initiatives, recently testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on the immediate and long-term shortages of nurses and other health care personnel. As president-elect of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administrators, Melton testified on behalf of the American Hospital Association (AHA). In addition to presenting background information on the shortage and proposed solutions from the AHA, Melton discussed some ways in which Catholic Health Initiatives and specific market-based organizations are addressing the issue, including:
  • A planned educational partnership between St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, Little Rock, Ark., and the nursing program at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Ark.
  • Alliances between Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kan., and community colleges to increase enrollment in nursing schools. Flexible scheduling, premium pay and subsidized day care strategies at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Promotion of health careers in area schools by St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Little Falls, Minn.
To request a copy of the testimony, contact Colleen Scanlon, senior vice president of advocacy for Catholic Health Initiatives, at colleenscanlon@chi-national.org.