Valley Must Grow Healthcare Workforce, Report

 New Economics Report Spotlights Need to Grow Coachella Valley’s Healthcare Workforce and Services

PALM SPRINGS — A new study provides further evidence that a lack of medical and healthcare personnel in the Coachella Valley has far-reaching impacts on not only our individual residents’ health, but on the economic well-being of our community as a whole, according to Chris Christensen, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO.

The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation recently engaged with Coachella Valley Economic Partnership to help quantify the economic impact of the valley’s need for additional healthcare professionals and services.

Using the District & Foundation’s 2023 community clinical and social needs assessment as a starting point, the new study was conducted by Dr. Darren Filson of the Randall Lewis Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with the support of Dr. Manfred Keil of Claremont McKenna College, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Director of Analytic Services David Robinson, and District & Foundation staff.

Robinson presented a report based on the study to the District & Foundation Board at its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 22.

Highlights from his report include two staffing models designed to help fill a gap of 181 primary physicians, 36 psychiatrists, and 46 surgery specialists who are needed in the valley. The report also features three maps that show options of where to locate future health clinics to effectively serve “high-risk communities” in medically underserved areas.

Read the final report.

“It is imperative for city and elected leaders to join medical and educational organizations in creating opportunities and resources to develop, attract and retain healthcare providers and the supporting businesses the valley needs, Christensen said in a statement.”

The study and subsequent report reflect the District & Foundation’s commitment to help build a robust medical and healthcare workforce in the Coachella Valley through a variety of ways, according to Christensen.

While recruitment is an essential tool for growing the medical community, the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, OneFuture Coachella Valley, and other partners also are investing funds to create educational pathways for local students to establish thriving health careers in the desert.

At the meeting, the Board approved a two-year $839,500 grant for OneFuture. The funds will be used to continue support for Black/African-American students, graduate students and other undergraduate students who aspire to be physicians, nurses and a variety of other health professionals.

OneFuture’s efforts were applauded during the meeting. District & Foundation Board Vice-President Greg Rodriguez recalled seeing an early iteration of the organization and remarked, “It’s just been amazing to see the progress.”

The District & Foundation Board also approved two other grants, bringing this week’s total grant awards to $1,102,529. The recipients are:

• $88,013 – California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert campus, for its nursing street medicine program.
• $175,016 – Variety Children’s Charities of the Desert to expand its services to satellite offices in Desert Hot Springs and Mecca.

The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley.