Calvert County Healthcare Careers Partnership Kick-Off Meeting a Huge Success

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- January 28, 2004 -- The Calvert County Department of Economic Development announced that the kick-off meeting of the newly formed Calvert County Healthcare Careers Partnership (Partnership) was a huge success, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 50 community representatives. This meeting, held on Thursday, January 22, was the first in a series of on-going sessions that will focus on developing solutions to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers in Calvert County, Maryland.

Guest speaker Cal Pierson, President and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association, provided information on the State’s efforts to battle the healthcare workforce shortages and offered tips to the Partnership on how to best achieve its goals. “Calvert County is a wonderful area to live in and is rapidly growing. The County will face greater challenges to expand its healthcare workforce due to this rapid growth. It’s a problem that will be with us through the rest of our lives and into the next generation.” Mr. Pierson stated. To view Mr. Pierson’s PowerPoint presentation as a .pdf file, click here.

“Healthcare workforce shortages are impacting organizations across the nation and although we’ve been more fortunate than some, it is certainly a problem that demands attention.” remarked Jim Xinis, President and CEO of Calvert Memorial Hospital and host of the meeting.

The Partnership’s Steering Committee, consisting of representatives from various County organizations including Calvert Memorial Hospital, the College of Southern Maryland, Calvert County Public Schools, and the Economic Development Commission, identified three initiatives: to increase community awareness; to develop healthcare career opportunities/paths; and to share recruitment and retention resources and make connections with those already involved in healthcare related fields, including volunteerism. The Partnership will focus efforts on the following three objectives in support of these initiatives: Healthcare Careers Month events; establishing Nurses/Allied Health Clubs in cooperation with the public school system; and increasing community awareness by setting up community awareness booths at various county events.

“We are overwhelmed by the community interest and support shown during this initial meeting.” stated Carrie Forrest, Partnership Chairperson and Vice President for Human Resources at Calvert Memorial Hospital. “The ultimate success of the Partnership will depend on the amount of support and participation we receive from our community. This will be a long-term process and we cannot accomplish our goals without community support.”

For additional information contact Carrie Forrest, Calvert County Healthcare Careers Partnership Chairperson, at 410-535-8120, or the Calvert County Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, via email cced@co.cal.md.us

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com