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According to the Florida Hospital In 2007, the Florida State University College Healthcare Network, in partnership with
Association, Florida is expected to be short of Medicine entered an agreement with Florida State College of Medicine
nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035. A Florida Healthcare Network to provide medical (FSUCOM), is creating a family medicine
Medical Association study shows a need for education and health care services for rural residency program. Residents will gain
18,000 physicians across the state by 2035, and underserved populations in Immokalee. experience in various primary care services,
one-third for primary care physicians and Multiple options continue for medical benefiting underserved communities
the rest for specialists. students and post-doctoral psychology through collaboration with Florida State
fellows to complete portions of their University.
While a national shortage of health care required and elective education program in
providers began before COVID-19, that Immokalee.
shortage became worse after the pandemic,
causing many to rethink the stress and
pressure of the profession. In addition, labor
costs are growing, with providers having to
take measures like salary adjustments and
incentives to attract and retain staff.
HOME-GROWN

B Y : D R . J A I M E K H E M R A J ,
C H I E F M E D I C A L O F F I C E R

These factors have resulted in the perfect
storm in Southwest Florida, with a lack of
affordable housing, high cost of living and
the need for more health care workers to
care for a growing aging population, often
with complex medical needs. Healthcare Network in Southwest Florida Kristen Dimas, a valedictorian and graduate
introduced training programs for medical of Florida State University College of
Healthcare Network began working with Medicine, is the founding Program Director
farmworkers in Immokalee in 1977 and assistants, pharmacy technicians, and of a new Family Medicine Residency
continues to provide care to underserved phlebotomists to address healthcare worker program. The program aims to train
and remote communities in Collier shortages. Graduates often stay on,
benefiting the workforce. They plan to physicians in community-based settings to
County. For years, the nonprofit has serve underserved populations. Healthcare
recognized the need to train physicians leverage the "Live Healthy" legislation to Network also received funding for an
locally, with the hope that they will improve healthcare access, including the Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry
embrace the mission of closing the gap in TEACH Funding Program. Program to train dental residents in
care by staying after their training is collaboration with Lee Health.
complete.
Federally Qualified Health Centers, such as About the Author
Developing training programs in the area Healthcare Network, can now join Florida's Dr. Jaimenee “Jaime” Khemraj is chief
can make a difference in workforce supply. Statewide Medical Residency Program to medical officer for Healthcare Network. For
The Association of American Medical receive funding for residency slots. This new information about training and job
Colleges reports that 65% of Florida program helps training centers apply for opportunities, visit
medical residents stay in the state after funding to compensate for lost revenue healthcareswfl.org/careers/
their residency. during training.

Life in Naples
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