"Our mission is to identify health inequities and their root causes and promote equitable opportunities to be healthy."
Dear Esteemed Readers
I am thrilled to share the official "Choose Virginia" newsletter from the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Health Equity. Despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced as a result of the pandemic, we have found innovative ways to provide compassionate and equitable technical assistance and customer service to our stakeholders.
In our upcoming issues, we will showcase our activities, successes, stories, workforce and staffing updates, important events, and upcoming programs. Our workforce programs have grown significantly since 2014, thanks to the unwavering support of our exhaustive list of stakeholders and the Commonwealth of Virginia, who have helped us improve access to care in Virginia. Our objective is to place diverse and qualified primary care providers in underserved communities in Virginia, retain them where they are needed the most, and ultimately make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation.
I am proud to report that our efforts have yielded positive outcomes. For instance, we have implemented various programs that significantly reduce health disparities among underserved populations. We have also collaborated with multiple organizations to provide vital services, such as mental health, dental, and primary care, to those in need.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to this newsletter, especially Nikita Busic, Newsletter Committee Lead, Stacy Davis, and Riah Proctor, who served on the newsletter committee. Without their unwavering efforts, this newsletter would not have been possible.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in our work.
Best regards,
Olivette Burroughs, MBA, HCM, PHIC
Statewide Health Workforce Manager
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
New Application Tool in Place through the mid-year
This year the Office of Health Equity transitioned away from using vdh.myoneflow.com to process incentive program applications. While we look to roll out a more permanent incentive application web platform later this year, our team has worked hard to create a temporary solution using REDCap, a browser-based electronic data capture software. OHE is committed to quality improvement and providing the best customer service to Virginia’s current and future health workforce, and we value you and your organization as a partner in our efforts to improve primary care access throughout the Commonwealth. If you have questions about this change or your application, please go to VDH’s Primary Care Incentive Programs web page for the latest program updates and coordinator contact information.
Sincerely,
Sandra V. Serna
Director, Office of Health Equity
Incentive Programs
Virginia Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program
October 1, 2023- April 30, 2024
Virginia State Loan Repayment Program
January 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024
National Interest Waiver
Year Round
HHS Exchange Visitor Program.
Year Round
Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship (CNA)
Year Round
Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Scholarship (CNA)
Year Round
Virginia Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program
Year Round
The Commonwealth's Earn to Learn Program
Call for Proposal Coming Soon!
Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Scholarship (LPN, RN)
September 1, 2024- November 30, 2024
Virginia Conrad 30 Waiver Program & ARC
September 1, 2024- August 31, 2024
Virginia Dental Loan Repayment Program
2024 dates to be announced
Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship (LPN/RN)
February 1, 2024 – April 1, 2024
Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Midwife Nursing Scholarship
September 1, 2024- November 30, 2024
Nurse Educator Nursing Scholarship
September 1, 2024- November 30, 2024
Events, Career Fairs, and Other News
Workforce Events
Health Equity Conference
The transformative discussions on health equity took center stage at the Health Equity Conference held at Norfolk State from October 24th to 26th, 2023. The event provided a platform for impassioned professionals to explore innovative solutions and strategies to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Among the attendees were Cassandra Braxton, Health Workforce Coordinator, Rexford "Rex" Anson-Dwamena, Acting Division Director of Social Epidemiology and Olivette Burroughs, Statewide Health Workforce Manager, all actively engaging in the conference's dynamic sessions.
Among Norfolk State's commitment to fostering inclusivity, Rex, Olivette and Cassandra contributed their expertise to the collective effort to advance health equity. The conference was not only a forum for sharing insights but also a space for building networks and collaborations to drive meaningful change in healthcare practices. The presence of dedicated individuals like Anson-Dwamena, Braxton, and Burroughs underscored the shared commitment to achieving health equity and creating a more just and accessible healthcare system for all.
Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics' 2023 Annual Conference
The vibrant spirit of collaboration and innovation took center stage at the Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics' 2023 Annual Conference, held at the Westin Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, on November 15th and 16th. Attendees were immersed in insightful discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing healthcare access and support for those in need. Notable participants included Stacy Davis, Health Workforce Coordinator, and Olivette Burroughs, Statewide Health Workforce Manager, whose presence added valuable perspectives to the event.
 Against the backdrop of the Westin Hotel's dynamic atmosphere, the conference served as a catalyst for fostering partnerships and sharing best practices within the free and charitable clinic community. Stacy and Olivette, representing the VDH Workforce team, contributed to the enriching dialogue, reinforcing the commitment to improving health outcomes for underserved populations across Virginia. The 2023 Annual Conference stood as a testament to the dedication of professionals like Davis and Burroughs, working tirelessly to create a healthcare landscape that is inclusive, compassionate, and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.
VA SLRP- Success Story
As a foreign medical graduate, after passing the boards, securing medical residency was not possible due partly to its competitive nature and requiring some sort of connection. My next step as plan B was to rightly choose the nursing path and was able to graduate from NP school with MSN. In the process, I incurred significant debt in the form of student loan. I started working as a primary care provider (PCP) with an NP license here in northern Virginia. Three years later, I joined Neighborhood Health of Alexandria, which is an FQHC. In less than a year, I applied for student loan repayment program through VA-SLRP. I, then, became one of the awardees and was able to pay off significant portion of my student loan. Thanks to Virginia Department of Health, I feel valued health care provider, and cannot be any prouder than working and residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
-Hassen Seid, FNP
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 The Mary Marshall Nursing scholarships are for students enrolled in nurse education programs in Virginia. The obligation for this program is one year of full-time employment as a nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse) in the Commonwealth of Virginia for every $2,000 scholarship money awarded (up to four years).
*The data represented in this analysis was collected from 2018 to 2022.
APPLICANT ’S STATUS SUMMARY, 2018 TO 2022:
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LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES PROGRAM STATUS,
2018-2022
Licensed Practical Nurses: 50
 Between 2018-2022, 18% of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the program completed their obligation period. 78% of LPNs in the program are in school, in the follow-up process, or employed/ in the process of fulfilling their obligation. The 4% of LPNs in default status did not complete school or did not find employment after their obligation period.
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REGISTERED NURSE PROGRAM STATUS,
2018-2022
Registered Nurses: 145
 For Registered Nurses (RNs) in the program, 17.9% completed their obligation period. 77.9% of RNs in the program are in school, in the follow-up process, or employed/ in the process of fulfilling their obligation. The remaining 4.2% of RNs are in default, have requested deferment of their obligation (variance) or paid back the scholarship amount in full if the obligation was deferred.
 FY 24 PFS and OPPS Rules
UPDATES FROM CMS
- Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule (CMS-1784-F)
- Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Final Rule (CMS-1786-FC)
- Remedy for the 340B-Acquired Drug Payment Policy for Calendar Years 2018-2022 Final Rule (CMS-1793-F)
Web links:
  
QUICK LINKS
Incentive Program Details Here:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/health-equity/incentive-programs/
Decision Tool for Incentive Programs:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/health-equity/incentive-programs/
HPSA 101 Video Series:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/health-equity/hpsa-101/
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