Will be able to play key role in addressing workforce shortages seen in health care reform era
Harold M. Maurer, M.D., chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been selected to serve on the newly created National Health Care Workforce Commission, a landmark group that is charged with finding answers to the health care workforce shortages that need to be addressed in this era of health care reform.
Dr. Maurer, who has served as chancellor of UNMC for the past 12 years, is one of 15 members chosen for the national commission. The appointment was announced by Gene Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“This is a great honor for Dr. Maurer to be selected for the commission,” said James B. Milliken, president of the University of Nebraska. “His selection speaks volumes for the high regard in which the chancellor and UNMC are held.”
Dr. Maurer said the appointment will provide a unique opportunity for UNMC to be involved in the major changes that lie ahead with health care reform.
“As the health care reform begins to be implemented, we know that workforce shortages exist in many different health professions but especially in primary care, the first line to the patient,”
Dr. Maurer said. “The commission brings together a diverse group of people, and I know it will provide a forum for us to share what is and isn’t working and to try to make sure we find the students in every area to meet the health care needs of the next generation.”
The commission will serve as a national resource for Congress, the president, and states and localities. In the area of workforce development and analysis, the commission’s key responsibilities include:
· to communicate and coordinate with federal departments;
· to develop and commission evaluations of education and training activities;
· to identify barriers to improved coordination at the federal, state, and local levels and recommend ways to address them;
· and to encourage innovations that address population needs, changing technology, and other environmental factors.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act created the commission and mandated staggered terms of one, two, or three years for the first 15 members appointed. Dr. Maurer is one of five members selected to serve the maximum term of three years.
Dr. Maurer joined UNMC in 1993 as dean of the College of Medicine after 25 years at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, serving as professor and chair of the department of pediatrics for 17 of those years.
A native of New York, Dr. Maurer received his undergraduate degree in 1957 from New York University and his medical degree in 1961 from State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn.
A pediatric oncologist, Dr. Maurer is internationally known for his expertise in rhabdomyosarcoma, a childhood cancer. He served as principal investigator of NIH research grant awards and chaired the national Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group for 26 years. That group has been credited with raising the cure rate from 20 to 75 percent.
In 2003, the Children’s Oncology Group awarded Dr. Maurer with its most prestigious honor – the Lifetime Achievement Award – recognizing his leadership and contributions in this important area of cancer.
His achievements at UNMC include leading the merger of University Hospital and Clarkson Hospital to form what is now known as The Nebraska Medical Center; spearheading the construction of new facilities such as the Durham Research Center and the Durham Research Center II, the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, and numerous other facilities.
He set an aggressive goal to double UNMC’s research funding in five years and triple it in 10. With research dollars now at more than $115 million annually, UNMC has reached both goals ahead of schedule.
Among the many honors and awards received, Dr. Maurer was named “Midlander of the Year” by the Omaha World-Herald in 2005, King of Ak-Sar-Ben in 2005, a “Face on the Barroom Floor” for the Omaha Press Club in 2007, and received a “Men of Honor” Award from 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc. in 2008.
“Today’s appointees bring impressive expertise and professional credentials to their role of advising policymakers on ways to improve the health care workforce which is so essential to ensuring the health and safety of the American people,” Dodaro said.
Commissioners whose first term will expire in September 2013 are:
o Peter Buerhaus, Ph.D., R.N., Professor of Nursing and Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies, Institute for Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Buerhaus will serve as Chair of the Commission.
o Sheldon Retchin, M.D., M.S.P.H., Vice President for Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University and Chief Executive Officer, VCU Health System. Dr. Retchin will serve as Vice Chair of the Commission.
o Brian J. Isetts, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.
o Harold M. Maurer, M.D., Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
o Thomas Ricketts, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Deputy Director for Policy Analysis, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research.
Commissioners whose first term will expire in September 2012 are:
o Mary Mincer Hansen, R.N., Ph.D., Director, Masters in Public Health Program, College of Health Sciences, Des Moines University.
o John E. Maupin, Jr., D.D.S., President, Morehouse School of Medicine.
o Neil M. Meltzer, M.P.H., President and Chief Operating Officer, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
o Fitzhugh Mullan, M.D., Professor of Public Health and Pediatrics, George Washington University.
o Steven Zatkin, J.D., consultant to health plans.
Commissioners whose first term will expire in September 2011 are:
o Katherine A. Flores, M.D., Director of the University of California (UCSF) Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research.
o Kim Gillan, Workforce Development and Training Coordinator, Montana State University’s Billings (MSUB) College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning.
o Lisa Renee Holderby, Director of Health Equity, Community Catalyst.
o Deborah King, Executive Director, 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds.
o Richard Krugman, M.D., Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, University of Colorado Denver and Dean, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office, known as the investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO also works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to the American people. The agency examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other data to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO’s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Mary Giffin, GAO Health Care team, (202) 512-7114
Chuck Young, GAO Office of Public Affairs, at (202) 512-4800
Visit GAO’s National Health Care Workforce Commission web page at www.gao.gov/about/hcac.
Weighing in
“During his tenure as chancellor, Dr. Maurer has led UNMC to new heights in educational training, clinical care and research. He has successfully addressed workforce shortages in Nebraska by increasing enrollments in both the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and by implementing accelerated family medicine and primary care residency programs. Under his leadership, UNMC has initiated and strengthened a number of pipeline programs, which are increasing the number of rural practitioners across Nebraska.”
Sen. Ben Nelson, U.S. Senate
“The appointment of Dr. Maurer, from the Midwestern region of the country, will provide geographic balance to the commission. He understands the health care needs of rural and urban communities and has taken advantage of technology to provide services statewide. Dr. Maurer has been successful in identifying and overcoming barriers at all levels of government and building diverse coalitions to achieve consensus and resolve problems.”
Sen. Mike Johanns, U.S. Senate
“Dr. Maurer’s leadership at UNMC has been exceptional. He is a nationally recognized and well respected medical professional and researcher who has devoted time to supporting philanthropic efforts within our community. Through his leadership, UNMC has completed construction on two new research towers, a medical education building, and new buildings for the College of Nursing, College of Public Health, and Geriatrics. These facilities were funded, in near entirety, through private donations.”
Rep. Lee Terry, U.S. House of Representatives
“Dr. Maurer is an excellent choice for this important commission. His recognized leadership and extensive experience working with all the health professions will be a great asset. I look forward to the commission’s findings and recommendations as it seeks to ensure that the nation has a health care workforce able to meet current and future needs.”
Steven Wartman, M.D., Ph.D., president/CEO, Association of Academic Health Centers