MCALLEN, Texas - Western Governors University and the AltaCair Foundation are teaming up again for another health equity summit in the Rio Grande Valley.
The summit is titled Accelerator 2024: Accelerating Value for Health Equity.
The first collaboration between WGU and AltaCair in the region occurred this time last year with an event at Mission Event Center. The aim of that summit was to drive discussions around the factors contributing to health disparities in the region.
Organizers say this year’s summit will focus on the role of community-based organizations (CBO) in the advancement of public health, as well as furthering the mission and outcomes from the 2023 conference to yield scalable solutions that enhance equity in healthcare for the region and beyond.
The conference takes place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in McAllen on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“After the successful culmination of the conference in 2023, the partner organizations are determined to further the mission of enhancing equity in health and higher education in rural America,” a press advisory from WGU states.
“Despite economic and geographical transformations, the diversity-rich Rio Grande Valley is still burdened with poverty and healthcare inequities that hamper real progress. The four RGV counties — Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron counties — are amongst the poorest counties in the nation and access to healthcare is unaffordable for many residents.”
A roster of speakers for Accelerator 2024 has been confirmed. It is:
• State Sen. Morgan LaMantia
• Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres
• Ankit Sanghavi, executive director of the Texas Health Institute
• Patricia Rosenlund, executive director of Easterseals Rio Grande Valley
• Sabrina Walker Hernandez, founder and CEO of Supporting World Hope
• Stephanie LaPuma, academic program director and associate dean of health professions for WGU’s Leavitt School of Health
• Lara Carver, administrative director of WGU’s Leavitt School of Health
• Ivette Morales, strategic partnerships manager (South) for WGU
• Heather A. Marsh, director of Advancement (South) for WGU
• Manny Gonzalez, director of regional operations (South) for WGU
• Rashmi Chandran, founder and president of AltaCair Foundation
• Edwin F. Estevez, CEO/chair of the board of AltaCair Foundation
The Accelerator 2024 website states:
“Imagine a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best health, regardless of their circumstances. At the heart of this vision are community-based organizations (CBOs) that play a crucial role in tackling health disparities and inequities. These local heroes provide essential services and care coordination that empower families and individuals to thrive in their unique environments.
“To truly understand and address the health-related social needs (HRSNs) of our communities, direct engagement with individuals is essential. By listening to their stories and experiences, we can tailor our support to meet their specific needs. While CBOs may not represent every voice within a community, they stand as trusted allies and invaluable partners. Together, we can drive meaningful change and help every person reach their highest potential.
“Join us in this vital mission. Together, we can create healthier, more equitable communities.”
The website also states:
“Accelerator 2024: Accelerating Health Equity is a premier event dedicated to advancing health equity in the Rio Grande Valley through innovative community-based collaborations and value-based care coordination. This summit brings together healthcare professionals, community leaders, policymakers, and advocates to explore and develop strategies that address health disparities and promote equitable access to care for all.”
The purpose of the summit, the website states, is to: “foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to drive systemic change and improve health outcomes in underserved communities.” By focusing on practical solutions and best practices, organizers believe they can “create a blueprint for health equity that can be replicated in other regions.”
WGU and AltaCair provided this demographic information about the Rio Grande Valley:
• The RGV Health Connect Organization reports the region’s median household income is $48,890, compared to $73,203 for TX. The region also has 24.7 percent of families living below poverty level, nearly triple the percentage for the nation. The population struggles with diabetes, obesity, and cervical cancer among other health issues. The Rio Grande Regional Hospital states that an estimated 76,000 people in the region have diabetes.
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 9.5 percent of people under the age of 65 do not have health insurance nationwide, but percentages for the same in the RGV counties are much higher: Hidalgo County: 30.2%; Cameron County: 25.2%, Starr County: 25%; Willacy County: 21.6%.
• According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, RGV is projected to have the state’s greatest percentage of unmet demand for registered nurses at 27.2 percent, representing 6,274 full-time nursing positions by 2032. The region will face a shortage of 722 primary care full-time equivalents by 2030, leading to 32.3 percent of demand going unmet.
• Fifteen years ago, Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon, writer, and public health researcher, highlighted the region’s systemic inequities in his landmark article, The Cost Conundrum. The article’s impact could not be missed and became mandatory reading during the debate surrounding President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act in 2010.
• McAllen Economic Development Corporation states that the healthcare industry in RGV has grown exponentially in recent years, with a projected growth of 24.7 percent by 2033.
With regard to the demand for health professionals and nurses in the U.S., the organizers provide this information:
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. The report further mentions that about 1.8 million openings are projected each year, on average, in healthcare occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.
• Global consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, estimates that the United States could have a shortfall of direct patient care nurses ranging from 200,000 to 450,000 by 2025. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics echoes similar projections and reports that employment opportunities for nurses will grow at nine percent, faster than all other occupations from 2016 through 2026. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing states that approximately 100,000 R.N.s left the workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic and more than 600,000 intend to leave by 2027 because of stress, burnout, and retirement.
• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that more than 65,000 qualified applications (not applicants) were turned away from schools of nursing nationwide in 2023. While AACN mentions that the students submitting these applications may have been accepted and enrolled elsewhere, the report emphasizes that a variety of reasons stall nurse education, including the lack of infrastructure and faculty.
• McAllen Economic Development Corporation states that the healthcare industry in RGV has grown exponentially in recent years, with a projected growth of 24.7 percent by 2033.
The school, named in honor of the former governor of Utah and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, was established in 2006 with the mission to make a difference in the fields of healthcare, nursing, and higher education through competency-based education. The school conferred 5.4 percent of all bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing across the country during the 2021-2022 academic year. According to the Utah Foundation Research Brief, LSH represents more than 170,000 jobs in the healthcare industry and the school produced a whopping 17 percent of the nation’s registered nurses earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021. The school has also been recognized for its impact by Platte County, Missouri. With more than 100,000 graduates and over 118,000 degrees already conferred by LSH, the school presently serves nearly 25,000 students nationwide. Learn more at Leavitt School of Health (wgu.edu).
A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 175,000 students nationwide and has awarded over 387,000 degrees to nearly 345,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.
Established in 2023 in the heart of Rio Grande Valley (RGV), the AltaCair Foundation shines as a beacon of hope and transformation. Founded by Rashmi Chandran, with support from regional experts, Sister Norma Pimentel, Edwin Estevez, Eric Weaver, Manny Vela, Todd Mann, and Barry Patel, this organization is dedicated to tackling healthcare disparities and enhancing access to vital services for underserved communities through the facilitation of collaboration. AltaCair delivers essential services and collaborates with cross-sector organizations to create meaningful community impact across the four counties of RGV — Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo, and Starr. The organization’s key initiatives include disaster management training, healthcare fairs, workforce development, and access to healthcare services — programs that directly benefit the local residents. AltaCair’s commitment extends to collecting data on colonias, advocating for economic prosperity as part of the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, and supporting educational initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce development. Through these efforts, the AltaCair Foundation builds a more resilient and equitable future for the region. Learn more at AltaCair Foundation.
