Briefing Paper

Demand for health care workers is expected to grow faster than any other employment sector in the state.  Approximately 15% of Alaska’s workforce will be employed in the health care industry by 2010.  Nine out of the ten fastest growing occupations in Alaska are in the health field.  Hospitals and other health care institutions are experiencing high vacancy rates for nurses, doctors and other health professionals including: radiological techs, physical therapists, medical office specialists, lab assistants, paramedics and dental assistants.  These chronic shortages are costing the health care industry millions of dollars a year in recruitment costs and salaries for temporary health care workers from out of state.

Relying heavily on private industry for financial support UA began an initiative in 2001 to expand health programs.  Almost half of this expansion has been financed by private hospitals that contributed over $4 million to get the programs started. A particular focus of the initiative has been nursing education.  A goal to double the nurses graduating from UA was established in 2000 and exceeded in 2006.  UAA has extended delivery of the two-year associate degree nursing program to Bethel, Kodiak, Sitka, Kenai, Palmer, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Fairbanks. 

Though UA’s health initiative has been tremendously successful, demand by industry remains acute and there are waiting lists for courses and admission into the various programs.  UA’s allied health programs increased in enrollment 104% in 4 years and the nursing program has a waiting list of about 800 students. 

In collaboration with the University of Washington, UAA expanded the WWAMI medical school program, providing the opportunity for 20 Alaska students to be admitted as “in-state” students at UW and to attend their first year at the Anchorage campus.  UA will follow the WWAMI model to offer additional training to Physicians Assistants and Occupational Therapists.


Board of Regents’ FY09 Operating Request includes the following requests for Health related programs:

UAA:    $1.7 million GF

Funds for expanding AAS Nursing program; enhancing BS Nursing, expanding Dental Hygiene, enhancing Master of Public Health (MPH), expanding WWAMI Physician program, development of Physician Assistant, Occupational & Physical Therapy programs, expand BS in Health Sciences, support for Alaska Area Health Education Center (AHEC), health program planning & coordination, supporting Psychology program, expanding Paramedic program
    
UAF:    $671.3 thousand GF

Funds for supporting Psychology program, expanding Dental Hygiene & Paramedic programs,
enhancing health programs, and Community Health Aide program

UAS:    $79.7 thousand GF

Funds for the Personal Care Attendant & Certified Nurse Assistant program

$195.0 is also included at the systemwide level to support behavioral health initiatives.

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For Information Contact:
Pete Kelly, Director, State Relations
450-8006/465-2382