Hunter
09/21/24
The University of Iowa is asking for increased funding to assist with the rural healthcare crisis in Iowa.
President Barbara Wilson asked the Board of Regents this week for over $10 million to train and graduate more health care professionals. She said the University plans to focus on maternal health, mental health, and primary care.
The Daily Iowan reports $6.5 million would be earmarked to transition 20 more registered nurses to be advanced registered nurse practitioners, and doubling the community pharmacist training program from 5 to 10 students. Five more audiologists would graduate each year with the funding, and annual in-state scholarships are planned for UI undergrads focusing on health care.
$2 million would go into maternal health to instruct 150 providers and nurses annually in maternal health emergencies. It would also help train 25 hospitals and 100 nurses to support transfers for complex pregnancies.
The final $1.5 million would address mental health by graduating more mental health counselors and school psychologists.