• Recognition was given that this is National Allied Health Week
• The Proclamation signed by Gov. Easley declaring this as National Allied Health Week was presented by Dr. Bacon. The Proclamation will be framed and hung in the offices of the Council.

• Approved

• Susan Dyson introduced Cassina Hunt who served as the HIM workforce consultant to the Sheps Center.
• Ms. Hunt presented a PowerPoint discussion of the workforce findings (http://www.alliedhealthcouncilnc.org/media/HIM11-06-02.htm).
• The published report will be distributed next week, and will be on the Council web page along with the other workforce studies very soon. Hard copies will be available, let Ms. Dyson know if you want a copy.
• A formal follow-up plan of the HIM study will be ready by the next Council meeting in January.
• The Data Committee will review the report and determine where and how the Council might provide assistance with issues in the report.
• After discussion by the Council of next steps, Dr. Bacon noted several areas of possible follow-up.
  • Bringing reps from the educational sector together with employers to assure curricula meet current needs of the health system.
  • Continuing Council efforts to improve data systems for non-licensed professionals, such as HIM.
  • Expanding our efforts in creating a more diverse workforce, such as the NCARC project and other diversity initiatives.
  • Facilitating articulation efforts between the community college system and the universities, in order to create better career ladders for persons entering the HIM field at the lower levels.

• Dr. Wilson is the Immediate Past President, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions; Director, School of Allied Medical Professions; Associate Dean, College of Medicine & Public Health was the major presenter.
• Dr. Wilson’s power point presentation is available on the website under http://www.alliedhealthcouncilnc.org/media/Wilson11-06-02.html.
• Following Dr. Wilson’s presentation, there was considerable discussion about ways the Council could address some of the issues raised in his talk. These included the following:
  • Recruitment. Dr. Wilson noted efforts at the national level to coordinate recruitment of young people into allied health careers. This would seem to be a role the Council could play in NC. In fact, it was part of the Duke Endowment grant application, and now deserves our increased attention.
  • Workforce Studies. NC is on the cutting edge in conducting rigorous studies of the allied heath workforce. We need to give these studies greater visibility, assist other state and national efforts in this area, and continue to develop effective means for describing and analyzing the current and projected needs for allied health professionals.
  • Faculty and Leadership Development. The Council needs to support efforts to produce more faculty for allied health programs. AHEC has been active in this area in nursing, and it may be possible to develop some new programs to expand the allied health faculty pool in NC. The Council could also develop a new leadership development program, in collaboration with other groups. Both of these initiatives might be attractive for future foundation funding.
  • Celebrating Success. Several Council members spoke to the importance of the Council taking a leadership role in developing some type of awards program to recognize excellence in allied health in teaching, research, and leadership. Offering scholarships is another possibility, but would require new resources. Such programs would give more visibility to allied health statewide as well as more visibility for the Council.

A. Announcements

• Dr. Sylvia Flack, Dean of School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University representing UNC System. Replacing Dr. Lee McLean.
• Mr. Clinton M. (Max) Queen, Dean of Allied Health & Public Service Education at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College representing Community College Allied Health Programs. Replacing Dr. Pat Shoemaker.
• Dr. James Sadler, Associate VP for Planning, UNC General Administration representing the UNC Office of the President. Replacing Dr. Donna Benson.
• Ms. Mary Watson, Director of the Exceptional Children representing the State Department of Public Instruction. Replacing Ms. Jane Rourk.
• Need replacement for Dr. Patricia Porter whose position was rifted as a result of state budget cuts.
• Next Council meeting: January 8, 2002 (This is the second Wednesday of January because the first Wednesday is New Years Day).

B. Presentation of Council Service Certificates

• Dr. Lee McLean
• Dr. Pat Shoemaker (not present)
• Dr. Patricia Porter
• Ms. Jane Rourk (not present)
• Ms. Terita Williams
• Dr. Moses Goldmon

C. Discussion and Action

• Council Guidelines – Drafted by Dr. Yoder to help with Council procedures and processes were presented.
  • Points of note: #8-10, affiliation with external groups, attendance, membership criteria are essentially new items, but are believed to assist the Council’s operation.
  • The issue arose of member professional associations not fitting into the current designated Group. It may be time to not only look at the current professional member groupings, but also review the names of the professions now within those groups. This topic will be discussed at December’s Executive Committee meeting.
  • Motion to adopt Guidelines; approved.
• Guidelines for organizing an Advisory Board to the Council:
  • Consensus was reached at the September meeting that an Advisory Board would be useful for the Council.
  • Dr. Bacon appointed a Task Force to draw up some guidelines related to an Advisory Board’s mission and membership consisting of Kathy Heilig, Patricia Porter, Rees Jenkins and David Yoder. This group met on October 24 and will provide a report to the Executive Committee at the December meeting.
  • Dr. Yoder will submit a report to Council members prior to the January meeting and there will be time at that meeting for further discussion on them, in the meantime he is asking that names of potential AB candidates be sent to him.

1. Data Committee Report was given by Mr. Brown, Chair.
   • Next meeting of the committee: November 12.
   • Future of workforce assessment model will be discussed at the November 11 meeting with the goal to have a recommendation on how to proceed with the workforce studies for December’s Executive Committee meeting.
2. Radiation Science Report Update
   • Frances Apple, the professions workforce study coordinator was introduced.
   • Susan Dyson reported that Sheps is receiving workforce data and things are moving along smoothly.
3. Executive Director reported:
   • Two presentations at next Council meeting on January 8, 2003:
     • Elizabeth Isler – Allied Health needs in Community College system.
     • Bill Milner, DDS will talk about a program he directs that provides dental care to needy persons.
   • March’s meeting – Looking for a speaker on bioterrorism prevention to present while Professional Association Presidents are in attendance.
   • Looking for permanent funding – Dr. Yoder has had numerous meetings with lobbyists and has received advice.

• Bill Croft – Attended American Association for Respiratory Care meeting. The B.S. program has changed so that registered RT’s must have a B.S. while certified RT’s must have an A.S. It is estimated that it will take 10 years for a total conversion. There are 3400 registered RT’s in North Carolina. Polysonography (sleep disorders) is being added to the list of accredited degree programs.
• David Wysocki – Concerned over reimbursement and its impact on allied health; the situation is getting worse.
  • Kathy Heilig – Medicare’s local office has clarified roles of students and providers; will look for reference and pass information along to organizations.
  • Pat Porter – The rules of Medicare are made on a federal level, while the rules of Medicaid are made on a state level.
  • Moses Goldmon – Gave a presentation last year on increasing awareness and the number of minority allied health students. One year has passed since the inception of the program, and it has recruited 90 students. Dr. Thorpe taught a class that was broadcast to other schools. NC Central University and NC A&T offer this class for 4 credits; this may help increase enrollment.
  • Steve Thomas – Announced the 35th anniversary of Eastern Carolina University’s School of Allied Health Sciences.

Adjourned at 12:30 PM

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