Dear Colleague,
On the twelfth anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is reflecting on the past, present, and future of the movement to advance health equity for all. As we remember how far we've come, we're also preparing to celebrate strategies to continue improving care for underserved populations in our 2022 Conference: Resilience & Transformation in Care—and we're excited to extend our Call for Proposals.
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Our Call for Proposals Has Reopened! Submit Your Workshop or Poster Abstract by Wednesday, April 6th
Did you miss the deadline to submit a Conference workshop and poster proposal? There's still time to become part of ACU's Conference agenda: we're extending our Conference Call for Proposals until Wednesday, April 6! ACU is accepting workshop and poster abstracts that reflect our Conference's theme, Resilience & Transformation in Care, which highlights the need to support the healthcare workforce and bridge gaps for a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive post-pandemic healthcare system. Learn about our three tracks, requirements, and more online: abstracts are due April 6.
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Register Early and Save: Join Us In-Person or Online at Our 2022 Conference, "Resilience & Transformation in Care"
Early Bird registration is open for ACU's 2022 Conference on July 31-Aug. 3! Taking place in Washington, D.C. and virtually, this symposium will unite hundreds of clinicians, public health leaders, advocates, and administrators from across the U.S. to explore strategies to forge a stronger, more inclusive post-pandemic workforce and healthcare system. Learn more and register for our conference, and stay tuned for our agenda and information on exciting general sessions, poster presentations, networking opportunities, and more. Early Bird registration ends June 17, and ACU Members and students receive significant discounts.
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Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Jim Macrae
ACU is pleased to welcome Jim Macrae, MA, MPP, as our first Conference keynote speaker! Associate Administrator of HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care, Macrae is a renowned national public health leader. Learn more, stay tuned for announcements on other distinguished keynote speakers, and join us at #ACUConf.
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Celebrate the National Health Service Corps' Storied History With Us at ACU's NHSC 50th Anniversary Gala on Aug. 1 in D.C.
Registration is now open for ACU's singular celebration of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) at our NHSC 50th Anniversary Gala! On the evening of August 1 in Washington, D.C., this black-tie optional event complementing ACU's Conference will honor the NHSC’s 50-year history of connecting clinicians with underserved communities with festivities, films, and speeches from Corps luminaries. Eric Redman—former Congressional staffer and author of The Dance of Legislation—will give a keynote speech, and attendees will also view a film sharing reminiscences from Corps alumni.
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Early Bird Registration Closes April 1: Join Our Workforce Symposium (May 2-3) & Retention & Recruitment Workshop (May 4-5) in Nashville, TN
There's still time to save on registration for our STAR² Center's Workforce Symposium, Going Beyond Buzzwords: Striving for a Thriving Workforce. Join us from May 2-3 in Nashville, TN, to learn how to promote resilience and transformations in care to effectively support health center teams. Our interactive Retention & Recruitment Planning Workshop will follow on May 4-5, and this training will teach you how to create or revamp your health center's retention and recruitment plan. Register for one or both events and learn how to better support your staff and continue providing patient-centered care for all.
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Upcoming Webinar: Creating an Organizational Culture of Resilience to Manage Stress and Burnout in Health Center Teams
Tuesday, March 29: 3-4 p.m. ET
There's still time to register for next week's ACU STAR² Center webinar on building resilient organizations that better support health center staff coping with stress and burnout. Join us to explore ways that FQHC leaders can cultivate cultures of resilience and learn strategies to bolster health center teams by improving employee satisfaction, cultivating stronger team dynamics, and building a more integrated environment for their workforce.
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Overhaul Your Recruitment Processes at Our Spring Boot Camp Learning Collaborative
A comprehensive recruitment planning process is crucial to maintain a thriving health center workforce. Apply by April 1 for our STAR² Center's new learning collaborative to help update your health center's recruitment plan and lay the groundwork for additional workforce planning. During this seven-part series, you will spend one hour every other week in a mix of webinars, discussion, and assignments, starting with a self-assessment and planning and on through contracting. Faculty and staff will provide support and technical assistance throughout and after the learning collaborative.
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Don't Miss Our PCA & HCCN Workforce Professional Development Series' Next Session
Wednesday, April 13: 2-3 p.m. ET
Make plans to attend the next session in our STAR² Center's workforce professional development series on April 13. These semi-monthly webinars aim to bolster workforce efforts at PCAs and HCCNs and help teams provide robust support for recruitment and retention at health centers. Learn about workforce planning and data, employee satisfaction, and more: sign up or view past sessions.
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In Case You Missed It: Read Our STAR2 Center's Health Center Pay Equity Checklist
Equitable, effective compensation is vital to a robust health center workforce. To assist FQHCs in achieving these aims, ACU's STAR2 Center has developed a Health Center Pay Equity Checklist to help organizations holistically evaluate their compensation practices to ensure they recognize the quality of their employees' work rather than factors that can keep marginalized groups from advancing.
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An Interview with Dr. Jay Moreland: ACU's STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success Podcast
Season three of the ACU STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success podcast continues its focus on health center employees' self-care. In our latest episode, ACU’s Helen Rhea Vernier interviews Dr. Jay Moreland, Primary Care Physician at Community Health Centers, Inc. in Midvale, UT, about the psychology of positive thinking and meditation. With over 25 years of experience at this health center, Dr. Moreland speaks to team dynamics and organizational culture as tools for employee self-care and retention.
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ACU Supports Legislative Amendment to Double Funding for HRSA's Nurse Corps
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ACU Is Hiring: Become Our New Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy
We're adding a Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy to our team! The ideal candidate is committed to supporting policy and advocacy initiatives to expand ACU’s strategic visibility and inclusive community of organizations, clinicians, students, and advocates. The Deputy Director will be expected to have experience on Capitol Hill, as well as the skills and relationships to be a key leader of ACU's government affairs and advocacy functions. Learn more and apply now.
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Join the Movement as a Member of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved
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Help Us Celebrate #NHSC50: Share Your Story or Share the Word
The Bureau of Health Workforce's NHSC 50th Anniversary celebration kicks off soon, and you can join the yearlong celebration. Learn how you can share your experiences of the Corps or join the conversation on social media by utilizing the Corps' 50th Anniversary toolkit and the hashtag #NHSC50 to promote awareness and invite new generations of potential NHSC providers to learn more about the Corps' opportunities. You can also sign up for a mailing list to receive the latest updates on the ongoing celebration.
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NHSC Members & Alumni: Help Inform the Next Generation of NHSC Clinicians as Advisors or Mentors in Our Pipeline Program
Are you a NHSC member or alumnus interested in becoming a mentor or advisor? You can volunteer to support ACU's NHSC Pipeline Readiness Technical Assistance Program to help prepare clinicians providing care to underserved communities. Contact us with questions and learn how you can get involved by serving on a committee, mentoring current participants, speaking at events, or sharing your experiences from the field.
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Make a Difference: NHSC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
Students pursuing eligible primary care professions training are invited to apply for tuition support through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program. The NHSC SP provides financial support for full-time enrollment in an eligible primary care health professions degree training program for up to four school years. Learn more and join thousands of current and former NHSC clinicians serving communities in need at NHSC-approved sites across the U.S. while making a difference for underserved populations.
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Healthcare Organizations Working with Underserved Populations: The NHSC New Site Application Cycle Is Open
Site Administrators can apply now to become an NHSC-approved site and learn how the Corps can help you recruit and retain healthcare providers at your facility. Eligible sites include organizations providing outpatient, primary health care services to populations residing in high-need urban and rural areas, as well as facilities providing general substance use disorder treatment, medication assisted treatment, or opioid treatment. Learn more.
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Celebrate Innovation in the SDOH Academy Innovations Showcase Competition
The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Academy is a virtual training series that aims to help healthcare organizations develop, implement, and sustain SDOH interventions in clinics and communities. The SDOH Academy's Innovations Showcase Competition is a way for your health center, PCA, HCCN, or community-based organization to showcase innovations and is an excellent opportunity to receive national recognition for your organization's work on SDOH. Apply or nominate a peer organization by March 31.
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ACU is here to help: if we can do anything to better support your work to improve care and advocate for patients who are underserved, please contact our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly with any feedback. Thank you for all that you do.
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