Victoria Vassall, MS-ITAM

🚨 New Study Alert: Understanding 340B Program Impacts on HIV Services 🚨 With potential changes in Federal and State policies affecting the 340B program, we conducted a rapid response study on its impact on facilities serving people living with or at risk for HIV. We interviewed leaders from HIV service organizations and clinics across California to explore: 🔍 Key factors influencing 340B revenue 💡 How service environments impact revenue differently 📈 Innovative strategies to navigate future changes We’ve created two valuable resources: 1️⃣ A toolkit for 340B-covered entities to assess and strengthen areas of risk. 2️⃣ An explainer that dives into how 340B works, its role in HIV services, and the current revenue challenges. Stay informed and download the Toolkit & Explainer at www.CHPRC.org.

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Since launching the '2023 Annual Fellowship Summary Report & Analysis' in March of this year, the site has seen a surge of involvement from programs and prospective fellows alike. The annual report has been downloaded over 600 times, along with 4.4k page views reviewing the other page resources. This adds to the already staggering 23k page views. If I were a prospective fellow today getting prepared for fellowship interviews over the next month, I would do the following: -1. Download the annual report to assess industry trends (comp, NPS, pgrm satis.). -2. Compare and benchmark those industry trends to my free program list to compare how your selected programs of interest compared to those national trends. -3. Develop thoughtful questions based on those comparisons. -4. Continue to make efforts to connect with current and past fellows in programs on a personal level. Data may inform and reinforce what you are seeing and hearing, but can’t replace or supplant a personal connection. Tag your friends, MHA cohorts, and colleagues looking at fellowships in case they haven't had a chance to download the annual report (https://lnkd.in/g7876sUp)!

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This afternoon I spoke to a journalist named Natasha Yee. Natasha writes for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting and she is currently working on a project about intersectionality and motherhood, especially when it comes to access to maternal healthcare. She got my name from a board member at Postpartum Support International AZ Chapter to be a representative of the intersection of mental illness and motherhood. You all know my story of PPP by now, and if you don’t, here’s a quick read on my blog: https://lnkd.in/ePG9a_bK As a white, cishet, female-identifying mother from a highly educated and middle upper class background, my story, while I believe is compelling, does not really touch at the core of her mission, which to is explore intersectionality and marginalization through the lens of motherhood (though I sincerely hope she decides to share my story regardless 🤞). That’s where you, my lovely LinkedIn network, come in. If you are a mother, or know a mother, from a marginalized background who has a story to tell through the lens of your/their motherhood journey, and, in particular, your/their access to maternal healthcare, please comment with your interest in being interviewed by Natasha and a brief blurb about your identity and what story you would like to tell. Natasha is particularly looking for BIPOC and indigenous mothers, women and birthing people from rural areas or maternal healthcare deserts, or anyone with a motherhood story who got subpar, neglectful, non-trauma-informed, or dangerous prenatal or postpartum care. If this sounds like you, please comment below. If you know someone who fits this narrative, please tag them. Your story is important. This is your invitation to tell it. You must be an Arizonan to participate. Even if this post doesn’t apply to you, if you leave a reaction or share it, the algorithm will get it to more people. I appreciate it! 🪷 #MaternalMentalHealth #Motherhood #Intersectionality #MaternalHealth #Healthcare #BIPOC #Indigenous #Identity #Postpartum #PostpartumDepression #PostpartumAnxiety #Obstetrics #OBGYN #Maternity

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SWITCHING SPECIALTIES: Don't overthink it In applying for jobs and doing interviews, it's been a great reminder of how the ability to switch specialties is an incredible asset to being a Physician Assistant/Associate. I have applied to specialties beyond Primary Care, and have been reminded how little most places care about how much I currently know about that new specialty. "We can train you up on the clinical part" they say. The application and interview process has also reminded me that the clinical medicine doesn't matter as much as your general clinical experiences, additional qualifications/skills and your potential fit within the practice. I've been getting screened for those things, with very little in the way of clinical scenarios or anything representing core knowledge pimping. Here are some of the more common questions that I've been getting: "Why are you interested in ____ (fill in the blank specialty)?" "Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a colleague and how that got resolved." "What do you think are the most important aspects of a team?" "How many patients have you historically been seeing per day?" "How do you best accept feedback?" "What do you do to mitigate the stress of working in medicine?" "What strategies do you put in place to limit your time spent on documentation?" These are basic and generalized questions, and mostly not specialty specific. When asked about switching specialties from fellow PAs, Jordan Fisher, MS, PA-C and I have always said that it's more about convincing them that you'll do a great job and be a great fit, not that you're clinically astute in that other specialty...I'm happy to report that this advice is truly holding up during my job searching. We wrote a bonus chapter for our PA Blueprint eBook called "The Big Switch: How to Change Specialties", which has been offered for free on our website, but I've attached it here for those wanting to dive deeper about this.

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“Vaccine requirements in places like schools or hospitals are important for preventing the spread of disease and protecting vulnerable people and kids,” - from my interview with Colorado Public Radio School vaccine requirements play a crucial role in boosting vaccination rates, creating healthier schools, protecting children, and strengthening community health. Most parents agree: a nationwide survey this year found that 77% support vaccine requirements for school attendance, while only 8% believe they are unimportant (source in comments). Let’s join the majority of parents in standing up for healthier schools and communities. We must work together to ensure all children have the protection they need to thrive by advocating for policies prioritizing community health. #vaccine #vaccines #socialnorming

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Learn more about California's implementation of the new Medicaid 1115 Reentry Waiver.

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Idaho offers a temporary medical license for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) under specific conditions. IMGs can obtain this temporary license if they are "forcibly displaced" and have applied to an accredited residency program in Idaho. Once they have completed their residency, they must work in an underserved area for at least three years​ (MedPage Today)​​ (Cato Institute)​. Additionally, Idaho lawmakers are considering a provisional license for IMGs who have received medical training and licensure in another country. This provisional license can be converted to an unrestricted license after three years of supervised practice in Idaho​. The State of Idaho offers a provisional medical license for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who have received medical training and licensure in another country. This provisional license allows IMGs to practice medicine in Idaho under certain conditions. Here are the key requirements and details: Training and Licensure: The IMG must have completed medical education and training that is substantially similar to that provided in the United States. They must also have been licensed to practice medicine in a foreign country. Practice Experience: The IMG must have practiced medicine for a minimum of three years in the country where they were licensed. USMLE: The IMG is required to pass all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which are the same standardized exams that U.S. medical graduates must pass. Supervised Practice: The provisional license allows the IMG to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician in Idaho. This period of supervised practice is typically three years. Conversion to Unrestricted License: After successfully completing three years of supervised practice in Idaho, the provisional license can be converted to an unrestricted medical license, allowing the IMG to practice independently. Underserved Areas: While not explicitly required, these provisional licenses are often aimed at encouraging IMGs to work in medically underserved areas, helping to address healthcare provider shortages in these regions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate experienced foreign-trained physicians into the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in states facing significant healthcare access challenges

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DHCS’ Chief Quality & Medical Officer and Deputy Director of Quality and Population Health Management, Palav Babaria, contributed to a new report on primary care's role in advancing health equity in California. The report provides 10 actionable recommendations to strengthen primary care and advance health equity in California. The link between primary care access and improved health outcomes is undeniable. We have a roadmap for change, from involving communities in policymaking to expanding pipeline programs for underrepresented groups. Now’s the time for positive change. Read more: https://ow.ly/y5fB50TgL8a #HealthEquity #PrimaryCare #CaliforniaHealthCare

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Finally the first step in right direction

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Explore 10 top global health organizations for a meaningful career in public health! 🌍👩‍⚕️ Perfect for MPH grads. Find out where to apply and what roles you can play. Want to get free cheat sheets for jobs? Grab them at www.learnmore365.com! #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #MPH #CareerTips

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I welcome you to follow Apprise Health Insights!!!

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Oregon has become the first state in the U.S. to establish this change in nomenclature from “Pysicican Assistants” to “Physician Associates”. This is a subtle but important change in order to signify PA’s independence and capability in treating the public. Both PA’s & NP’s are integral players in our healthcare future, as we face shortages of doctors, specifically PCPs. If you have ever been treated by a PA or NP, you know that these people are highly skilled, motivated & caring with many having chosen this path to help people, maybe not becoming doctors in title because of family, finances,circumstance or their own choice. But make no mistake, the care and time spent by PAs/NPs is top notch and even sometimes more thorough and patient-centric, rather than the doctor that has 30 other patients to get to. Keep an open mind and you may find one that becomes your primary health giver, for you and your family, for years to come. #physcianassociates #medicine #NEERAeye #healthcare

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I feel honored to be part of the fight to end race-based medicine, which has been hurting our community in various ways. Have you ever heard of a VBAC calculator? It is used to predict the success rate of a vaginal birth after cesarean for a woman. Did you know that race/ethnicity is a factor in the calculator, and that African American women are given lower scores simply because they are Black? This means they are less likely to receive support for their choice of VBAC compared to women of other races/ethnicities. However, being Black does not automatically make them less likely to have a successful vaginal birth. This is a way to blame race and reinforce the idea that Black bodies are inferior simply because of their race. Black women have a lower success rate in VBAC because of systemic racism, and no other reason. We need to put an end to race-based care, as it only causes harm. https://lnkd.in/geZXkE6q

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Patient advocacy is interwoven in policy, shared decision making, and survivorship…and seated on patient navigation. Misinformation can poison this dynamic. As an educator and geriatric-oncology researcher, I am excited about the bold agenda of the upcoming meeting of the AACI (Association of American Cancer Institutes) in Chicago (10/20-10/22/2024). We’re working in higher education (medical schools and residency programs) to make our trainees aware of the importance of the patient’s voice in an effort to not only address misinformation related to treatments but also to develop deeper trusting patient-physician relationships that so often impacts survivorship. As educators, we’re pleased that several organizations such as the American Board of Internal Medicine, ABIM Foundation, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and ACGME are leading efforts to combat misinformation in the healthcare sector. AACI (Association of American Cancer Institutes) has stayed true to its mission of “accelerating progress against cancer by enhancing the impact of academic cancer centers and promoting cancer health equity.” Dr. Rob Winn, the President of AACI (Association of American Cancer Institutes) has launched an Excellence Initiative focused on collaborative efforts to create opportunities for research, training and education, and PATIENT NAVIGATION. The AACI (Association of American Cancer Institutes) has also raised concerns about the danger of health misinformation and the need to set standards for quality and transparency. It will hold a session on “Establishing Academic Integrity and Public Trust in the Misinformation Era,” at its upcoming meeting. We commend the AACI (Association of American Cancer Institutes)! #patientnavigation #geriatriconcology #misinformationcanbedeadly #Abimfoundationbuildingtrust

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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 Many MHA, MPH and MBA students are in the midst of interviewing for highly competitive administrative fellowships. As an interviewer for MultiCare Health System’s administrative fellowship program for almost a decade, I thought I’ll share some essential key tips to help all the candidates out there: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝘆: Reflect and articulate clearly why you think an administrative fellowship is the next step for you in your career. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements. This shows your genuine interest and helps tailor your responses to why you are genuinely interested in a specific organization’s fellowship program. If you’re an out of state candidate, be clear on why you are interested in moving to a new community. Most organizations want to retain fellows post fellowship, what is compelling about you that they should want to take a chance on you? 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Prepare answers for common questions like “Tell me about yourself”, “Why do you want this role?” and “what are your greatest accomplishment or failures?". 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 (𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸, 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁) 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀: Interviewers are picking up on your competencies based on how you are responding to each question using the STAR method. The STAR method helps you stay on track so that your responses are not too short or not too long. Keep your responses crisp! 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆: Choose professional attire that aligns with the company culture. First impressions truly matter. We have had candidates show up in the past not dressed well and if you can’t make an effort for an interview, it’s hard for the interviewers to imagine what your daily work attire would be. 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: Maintain eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and sit up straight. Positive body language conveys confidence. In the world of virtual and hybrid work, some interviewers may be on video only. Be prepared to engage interviewers who may just be on a video screen as opposed to in person. Remember to connect with those in the room and also those on the screen. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and company. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Don’t ask questions that you could have easily found online. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position. Good luck! You’ve got this! 💪 #JobInterview #CareerTips #InterviewPreparation #ProfessionalGrowth #LinkedInTips

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Next week, I’m hosting a free, impromptu Zoom call for nurses interested in current and future subcontracting and consulting opportunities. I’ll explain the difference between subcontracting and consulting, and the different types of consultants, like legal nurse consulting (which I don't do). I’ll also be sharing what I do as an independent consultant—supporting education, compliance, accreditation, EMR implementation, and more. If you’ve ever wondered how else you can use your nursing experience or how to transition into consulting and subcontracting, this will be extremely beneficial for you! So if you’re considering a change, exploring side gigs, or want to learn more about what's out there, I’d love to have you join. Just comment below for the link or send me a DM. Feel free to pass this along to any nurses who might want to explore new ways to use their skills. Looking forward to connecting with you! #nurseconsulting #nurseconsultant #theselfemployednurse #nurseentrepreneurs #nurses #nursesoflinkedin

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