Workforce

The Biden administration is investing $1.5 billion from the COVID-19 aid package to address healthcare workforce shortages in underserved communities, the White House announced Nov. 22. 

Ascension Florida is revoking the suspensions of unvaccinated employees and allowing them to return to work as part of a COVID-19 policy shift, according to CBS affiliate WJAX.

Several donations were made to healthcare organizations in the last week to create more programs and build new facilities.

Houston Methodist received a $25 million donation from Ron and Mary Neal, MD, for a cancer center expansion, renaming the facility the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center.

Bozeman-based Montana State University said Nov. 18 it will name its nursing school after the donors of a record-breaking $101 million donation.

Despite job vacancies at a high and payrolls growing, some younger workers are choosing not to reenter the workforce, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 19.

The federal government will send two emergency medical teams to Minnesota to support hospital staffing needs, Gov. Tim Walz announced Nov. 17.

Thirty percent of healthcare workers in more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals remained unvaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 15, according to an analysis conducted by researchers from the CDC.

Ten hospitals and health systems recently posted job listings seeking philanthropy leadership and expertise. 

Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and state lawmakers are at odds over a requirement for healthcare employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, NBC affiliate KARK reported Nov. 17.