SAN DIEGO, CA — (March 14, 2016) On Friday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) Spirit of the Barrio luncheon will feature a panel of regional leaders addressing the nation’s looming physician shortage crisis. The luncheon will take place at Logan Heights Family Health Center (1809 National Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113).
This luncheon will feature an expert panel discussing potential impacts of a physician shortage, show how Teaching Health Centers (THCs) can play a role in solving this issue and highlight FHCSD’s Family Medicine Residency Training Program, which began three years ago and is currently training 12 residents. A Q&A session will also be conducted.
The panel includes:
- Kevin Barnett, DrPH, MCP, Senior Investigator at the Public Health Institute
- Chris Gordon, MD, Director of the FHCSD Family Medicine Residency Training Program
- Megan Hamreus, DO, Chief of Family Medicine at Scripps Mercy Hospital
- Najwan Al Ani, MD, FHCSD resident physician
- Ariel Wesler, 10News anchor, will serve as moderator.
Experts have predicted the U.S. will face a shortage of 90,000 medical providers by 2025. THCs have emerged as one way to help solve this issue since these programs train culturally competent physicians who primarily focus on low-income, underserved communities. Unfortunately, the federal government reduced funding for THCs by almost 50% in 2015, which may reduce or shutter many programs across the country. The closure of these vital programs will contribute even more to the anticipated physician shortage.
Community members and the press are invited to attend the luncheon. Tickets are $25 and still available for the public to purchase at www.fhcsd.org/spirit-of-the-barrio. Free press passes are available. The luncheon will be live tweeted and guests can join the conversation by using the hashtags #SaveOurDocs and #SOTBDocs.
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About Spirit of the Barrio
This is the first Spirit of the Barrio luncheon of 2016 and will kick off this year’s 30th anniversary celebrations! Since 1986, Spirit of the Barrio has provided a platform to discuss current events, offered networking opportunities to guests and raised financial support for FHCSD’s mission to provide quality health care for underserved communities. About 400 guests attend each luncheon. More information is available at www.fhcsd.org/spirit-of-the-barrio.
About Family Health Centers of San Diego
Since 1970, Family Health Centers of San Diego has been an integral part of San Diego County’s health care safety net and is proud to be one of the largest, private, nonprofit networks of community clinics in the nation. FHCSD’s mission is to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons. More information is available at www.fhcsd.org.
