Health Professions Network Holds Fall Meeting

October 1, 2007

The Health Professions Network (HPN), represents approximately 200 health care provider organizations, educators, regulators, and government agencies held its 2007 fall meeting in Anaheim, CA from September 26–29, 2007. HPN concerned with advancing and exploring current issues relevant to health professions. Bill Dubbs, AARC Director of Education and Management Services represented the AARC.

The keynote presentation on “Diversity in Healthcare—A Business Imperative” was delivered by Martha Ceja, Manager of Diversity Services for the Bernard HODES Group. Other presentations focused on effective communication with the media and public, legal regulation of the health professions, educational initiatives for the health professional workforce of the future, and stress management in the health professions. Cheryl West, AARC Director of Government Affairs presented “Allied Health Professions and Licensure Efforts”.

At its business meeting attendees were updated on progress made in developing a proposal to attract resources from sponsors to build a major nationwide program to raise public awareness of exciting health professions careers other than physicians and nurses. Various HPN members including the AARC have committed funds that will enable HPN to attract either a single entity or a consortium of sponsors to fund this nationwide program that will in many ways resemble the program for nursing recognition funded by Johnson and Johnson. Bill Dubbs, who was elected to the HPN Board of Directors at this meeting will serve on the committee guiding this important project.  

The HPN will hold its spring meeting in Baltimore, MD in April 2008.