PEMBROKE – Work to create a College of Health Sciences at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is moving ahead with the support from Scotland County health officials.

The university said a study outlining the positive impacts of such a college is headed to the desks of state lawmakers. The study was approved by the UNC Board of Governors last week. It includes an in-depth look at the region, possible health care programs and a potential approach to the establishment of a College of Health Sciences.

The General Assembly provided up to $100,000 to investigate the feasibility of establishing the college at UNCP.

“We are appreciative of the General Assembly’s passion for improving the health outcomes of our region, and in the implied confidence in UNC Pembroke’s ability to be the driving force to address these needs by forming a College of Health Sciences,” Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings said.

The chancellor emphasized that the university is well poised to implement a College of Health Sciences given the experience and expertise of its leadership. Dr. Cummings is a former cardiothoracic surgeon and served as North Carolina Medicaid director.

Health outcomes

Studies have shown that counties in proximity to UNC Pembroke face staggering conditions of high obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, infant mortality, and death rates for minors.

Scotland County ranks second to last in health outcomes across North Carolina for the third straight year, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 2018 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps study. Neighboring Robeson County is at the bottom for health outcomes in North Carolina.

Health outcomes are assessed based on the number of premature deaths. A premature death is considered to be death before 75. Other factors used in the report include infant mortality rates, smoking rates, obesity, physical inactivity, percentage of children in poverty, number of health providers, access to exercise opportunities, and violent crime.

University officials said it is also clear that that rural health care shortages are persistent throughout North Carolina, and are particularly prevalent in southeastern North Carolina. Fast-growing professions like nursing, nurse practitioner, occupational therapy, and optometry are too often in short supply in the region.

They added that a College of Health Sciences could build on the success of existing health-related programs – nursing, social work, clinical mental health counseling, athletic training, exercise/sports science, and school counseling.

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC and Consulstart led by Dr. John Ruffin, founding director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health, both concluded a College of Health Sciences at UNCP could be transformative for health outcomes

Health care partners in the region, including Gregory Wood, president and CEO of Scotland Health Care System, support the establishment of the new college.

“Recruiting and retaining quality health care professionals in a rural area like ours is quite challenging,” Wood wrote in his letter of support. “Individuals who are from our region or want to work in rural environments greatly increases our long-term retention rates.”

A similar sentiment was shared by Joann Anderson, Southeastern Health president and CEO.

“The ability to educate and train young people from [this region] close to home will increase the likelihood they will remain in the area after completion of the program. This improved workforce will have an overall positive impact on the local economy.”

Wood and Anderson were among the 81 regional health care professionals that participated in five focus groups led by Dr. Jeff Frederick, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Three phases

A proposed three-phased approach would add additional bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs such as nurse practitioner, optometry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, nutrition and dietetics, health informatics, health administration, and a two-year degree completion program in rural health equity for individuals in a patient support role transitioning to leadership roles.

Beginning in 2018, the three phases would extend through 2027, ending with a sweeping assessment to identify additional opportunities.

The study suggests UNC Pembroke could build on existing core competencies in programs and construct inter-professional course structures, something that experts say can break down silos between providers, and educate a team-oriented health care professional more prepared to meet the increasingly complex healthcare needs of a diverse, rural population.

UNCP Provost David Ward said the college could create a workforce “that understands and appreciates rural environments and provide “an affordable education for health professions that are both in demand and in short supply in southeastern North Carolina.”

The study also discusses the establishment of a clinical research program, designed to invite external funding and key personnel attracted by the opportunity to study health conditions resistant over decades to intervention, in an economically challenged, clinically diverse environment.

Dr. Aaron Vandermeer, faculty senate chair, said he was pleased to learn of the Board of Governors’ approval.

“The potential for its impact on our region is enormous, for our students, the community, and the university alike. I cannot imagine a better locus for the creation of a community to focus on the practice, pedagogy, and promotion of health.”

The legislatively-directed study charged the Board of Governors with considering the health care needs of the region as well as the economic benefits in its review.

Greg Wood
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Greg-Woodprint.jpgGreg Wood

Scott Witten

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