“First to Contact…First to Contract”
On September 24, more than 70 attendees, from 32 states and Australia, at the National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network’s (3RNet) 14th annual conference in Albuquerque contemplated the depth of those words from Jerry Harrison, Ph.D., executive director of New Mexico Health Resources (NMHR). Harrison leads New Mexico’s healthcare provider recruitment and retention efforts. NMHR placed 69 physicians, dentists, and clinicians during fiscal year 2009.
Panelists Norma Martins from First Choice Community Healthcare, Daniece Richins from Hidalgo Medical Services, Dorothy Romo from Presbyterian Medical Services, and Tomasa Shanhbag from La Clinica de Familia, Inc. echoed, “First to contact…first to contract,” when describing their recruitment strategies and involvment with NMHR and 3RNet.
“Working with 3RNet, NMHR refers more than sixty percent of the candidates I review in my recruitment process,” said Richins.
Attendees also received a federal policy and legislative update from Paul Moore, D. Ph., immediate past president of National Rural Health Association, and an immigration law update from Robert Aronson, J.D., Aronson & Associates, P.A.
Other speakers inlcuded Paul McGinnis, MPA, Oregon Health and Science University; Melissa Manlove, First Choice Community Healthcare; Frank Crespin, M.D., MPH, La Clinica de Familia; Karen Vaillant, M.D., Eastern New Mexico Family Medicine Residency Program; Alfredo Vigil, M.D., Secretary, New Mexico Department of Health; and Gale Kreibich, director of service excellence at Gunderson Lutheran Health System.
“The 14th Annual 3RNet conference was evaluated by members as being one of the best meetings yet. The content enables 3RNet members to return to their states and be more effective in assisting their healthcare facilities in the recruitention of medical professionals,” said Tim Skinner, executive director of 3RNet.
3RNet members are not-for-profit organizations helping health professionals find jobs in rural and underserved areas throughout the country. Members include organizations such as State Offices of Rural Health, AHECs, Cooperative Agreement Agencies, and State Primary Care Associations.
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