Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) Biennial Report to the General Assembly of Virginia
Summary
This Biennial Report to the General Assembly of Virginia comes from the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) and includes a letter from the Executive Director, a statement of purpose, accomplishments for 2022-2024 and a financial overview. The letter states that VHWDA has concentrated on medically underserved areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas. For 2022-24 the Virginia Area Health Education Centers (VA AHEC) program lists over 12,000 program participants, over 300 AHEC Scholars and 95% of clinical training in a medically underserved area. In August 2024, Virginia AHEC shifted most of its participating host sites to Free Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Community-based Hospitals.
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Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA)
Biennial Report to the General Assembly of Virginia
Email
info@vhwda.org
Phone
804-592-1724
Address
313 E. Broad St.
Suite 314
Richmond, VA 23219
VHWDA Biennial Report
Table of Contents Page #
1. Letter from the Executive Director 1
2. VHWDA Purpose 2-4
3. Accomplishments 2022-2024 5-9
4. Financial Overview 10-14
5. Acknowledgments 15
VHWDA Biennial Report
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Colleagues and Partners,
I am excited to share the Biennial report for the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
(VHWDA). The report would not have been possible without the hard work of the VHWDA team
and board members. Since 2022, VHWDA has revamped itself. We have officially updated our
organizational logo to better reflect our renewed mission and commitment. This change is more
than a visual update—it signifies a strategic shift in our focus toward enhancing healthcare
workforce development, specifically in Virginia's medically underserved areas and Health
Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Our decision to concentrate on underserved communities stems from a deep recognition of the
healthcare access disparities affecting many Virginians. By directing our resources and efforts
toward these areas, we aim to impact the health and well-being of those who need it most.
Key Focus Areas:
1. Recruitment Initiatives: Implement programs to attract health professionals to
underserved and in shortage areas.
2. Retention Strategies: Providing support and incentives to retain practitioners in these
communities.
3. Educational Partnerships: Collaborating with academic institutions to tailor health
profession education toward serving in underserved areas.
4. Local Partnerships: Working closely with community organizations, clinics, and
hospitals to understand and address specific local needs.
5. Policy Development: Advising policymakers on legislation and regulations that
support workforce development in underserved areas.
6. Grant Acquisition: Seeking funding opportunities to support programs targeting
HPSAs.
We believe that collaborative efforts are essential for success. We invite you to partner with us—
whether through shared initiatives, providing feedback, or spreading the word about our programs.
For more information about our new focus and how you can get involved, please visit our updated
website at www.vhwda.org.
Sincerely,
Harrison L. Hayes
Executive Director VHWDA Biennial Report - 1
VHWDA Biennial Report
VHWDA Purpose
The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) was established to improve
the health of Virginia's residents by enhancing the supply and distribution of qualified healthcare
professionals throughout the state. Founded under the legislative authority of the Virginia Code §
32.1-122.7, VHWDA serves as a central coordinating body to address the challenges related to the
health workforce.
A. Mission of VHWDA
The mission of the Authority is to facilitate the development of a statewide health professions
pipeline that identifies, educates, recruits, and retains a diverse, appropriately geographically
distributed and culturally competent quality workforce. The mission of the Authority is
accomplished by:
(i) providing the statewide infrastructure required for health workforce needs assessment and
planning that maintains engagement by health professions training programs in decision making
and program implementation;
(ii) serving as the advisory board and setting priorities for the Virginia Area Health Education
Centers Program;
(iii) coordinating with and serving as a resource to relevant state, regional, and local entities,
including the Department of Health Professions Workforce Data Center, the Joint Legislative
Audit and Review Commission, the Joint Commission on Health Care, the Behavioral Health
Commission, the Southwest Virginia Health Authority, or any similar regional health authority
that may be developed;
(iv) informing state and local policy development as it pertains to health care delivery, training,
and education;
(v) identifying and promoting evidence-based strategies for health workforce pipeline
development and interdisciplinary health care service models, particularly those affecting rural and
other underserved areas;
(vi) supporting communities in their health workforce recruitment and retention efforts and
developing partnerships and promoting models of participatory engagement with business and
community-based and social organizations to foster integration of health care training and
education;
(vii) setting priorities for and evaluating graduate medical education programs overseen by the
Commonwealth;
VHWDA Biennial Report - 2
(viii) advocating for programs that will result in reducing the debt load of newly trained health
professionals;
(ix) setting priorities for and managing the Virginia Health Care Career and Technical Training
and Education Fund;
(x) identifying high-priority target areas within each region of the Commonwealth and working
toward health workforce development initiatives that improve health measurably in those areas;
(xi) fostering or creating innovative health workforce development models that provide both health
and economic benefits to the regions they serve;
(xii) developing strategies to increase diversity in the health workforce by examining demographic
data on race and ethnicity in training programs and health professional licensure;
(xiii) identifying ways to leverage technology to increase access to health workforce training and
health care delivery; and
(xiv) developing a centralized health care careers roadmap in partnership with the Department of
Health Professions that includes information on both licensed and unlicensed professions and that
is disseminated to the Commonwealth's health care workforce stakeholders to raise awareness
about available career pathways.
VHWDA Biennial Report - 3
B. Powers and Duties of VHWDA
i. The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (the Authority) is authorized to serve
as the incorporated consortium of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in Virginia as
required by federal statute to qualify for the receipt of Area Health Education Centers
programs, legislatively mandated under the Public Health Service Act as amended, Title VII,
§ 751, and 42 U.S.C. § 294a, and to administer federal, state, and local programs as needed to
carry out its public purpose and objectives. The Authority is further authorized to exercise
independently the powers conferred by this section in furtherance of its corporate and public
purposes to benefit citizens and such other persons who might be served by the Authority.
ii. The Authority is authorized to monitor, collect, and track data pertaining to health care delivery,
training, and education from Virginia educational institutions and other entities as needed to
carry out its public purpose and objectives in areas where such data efforts do not already exist.
The Authority is further authorized to request and seek data for program evaluation purposes
and may partner with other agencies and institutions to help manage and analyze health
workforce data. The Authority shall assist in the coordination of data from various sources,
including the Department of Education, the Department of Health Professions, the Department
of Health, the Virginia Office of Education Economics, the Workforce Data Trust, and the
George Mason University Center for Health Workforce.
iii. The Authority shall have the authority to assess policies, engage in policy development, and
make policy recommendations.
iv. The Authority shall have the authority to apply for and accept federal, state, and local public
and private grants, loans, appropriations, and donations; hire and compensate staff, including
an executive director; rent, lease, buy, own, acquire, and dispose of property, real or personal;
participate in joint ventures, including to make contracts and other agreements with public and
private entities in order to carry out its public purpose and objectives; and make bylaws for the
management and regulation of its affairs.
v. The exercise of powers granted by this article and the undertaking of activities in the
furtherance of the purpose of the Authority shall constitute the performance of essential
governmental functions.
VHWDA Biennial Report - 4
Accomplishments 2022-2024
1. VIRGINIA AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER
Virginia Area Health Education Centers (VA AHEC) are federally funded through the United
States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and administered by the Virginia
Health Workforce Development Authority.
The aim of VA AHEC is to provide interprofessional and educational resources to motivate,
recruit, train, and maintain a healthcare workforce dedicated to serving our eight AHEC Regions
within Virginia. Within these eight regions are AHEC Centers which are made up of dedicated
teams of professionals who collaborate with healthcare providers, educators, and community
leaders, striving to create innovative programs and initiatives that address the evolving needs of
our diverse population.
Through comprehensive training, continuous education, strategic partnerships, and the VA
AHEC Scholars Program, we empower healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care while
promoting health equity. VA AHEC Program also contributes toward the HRSA mission to increase
access to care for underserved individuals and communities through their academic and
community partnerships that create training opportunities for health professions students and
health care professionals.
1/21/25 Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority 23
VHWDA Biennial Report - 5
A. AHEC Scholars
The AHEC Scholars program flagship program. Selected applicants participate in a two-year
educational program and may be eligible to receive a stipend. Virginia AHEC Scholars Program
includes 40 hours of didactic and 40 hours of clinical activities each year. Scholars develop new
skills and are introduced to an interprofessional framework that will be crucial to improving health
and health care. Each AHEC Scholar will receive a Virginia AHEC Scholars Certificate, setting
them apart from other students in an increasingly competitive environment. Selected scholars will
also have the chance to meet leaders in health care and make connections with other participants,
creating an invaluable network for their future careers in health care.
“I am a second year Physician Assistant Student at
Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. I love
to spend time with my family whether it is at the beach,
hiking in the mountains, swimming, mountain biking,
kayaking, or touring farmer's markets. I enjoy traveling
across the country to experience stunning views, unique
cultures, and different foods. I also enjoy volunteering
my time at the local fire house as a firefighter and
paramedic. I find that (1) quality time well spent in
making lasting memories with loved ones and (2)
helping my fellow man are two of the most fulfilling
and rewarding things in life."
Micaiah Landrum
Randolph Macon College PA Student
2022-24 AHEC Scholar
B. VAAHEC Accomplishments 2022-24
Over 12,000 Program Participants
Over 300 AHEC Scholars
95% of Clinical Training in Medically Underserved Area
VHWDA Biennial Report - 6
C. 2024 Changes to VAAHEC Host sites
In August 2024, Virginia AHEC shifted most of its participating host sites to Free Clinics,
Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Community-based Hospitals. This model represents a
focus on ensuring that participants in the AHEC program are practicing in areas of greatest need,
aiming to retain individuals to work in those regions after completing their academic training.
D. VAAHEC in the News
Virginia AHEC program to retain healthcare professionals in underserved areas:
www.wdbj7.com/2024/10/18/virginia-ahec-program-retain-healthcare-professionals-
underserved-areas/
VHWDA Biennial Report - 7
2. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING
In March 2024, VHWDA launched a community health worker training program which includes:
• 12-week course with 17
asynchronous, online, interactive
modules (80 hours of didactic
lessons)
• This course fulfills
the didactic requirements outlined
by the Virginia Certification Board
for Virginia CHW Certification.
The 12-week course is available through
Moodle in partnership with our partners at
George Mason University. Students
navigate through each didactic module,
which consists of relevant readings, videos,
discussion board assignments, case studies,
and assessments. The course helps students
prepare for careers as community health workers, health advocates, or other similarly skilled
professionals. Students can also utilize the training as an introduction to healthcare.
63 COMPLETERS (2024)
VHWDA has created an immersion series to
focus on Nutrition and Behavioral Health.
These immersion series provide additional
level certification that includes CPR and
Mental Health First Aid.
Course Participants:
• Aspiring community health workers,
• Students of all levels,
• Current clinicians, nurses, clinical social
workers, and other health professionals,
• Community advocates,
• Anyone passionate about promoting health
and wellness.
VHWDA Biennial Report - 8
3. GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
Following the 2024 General Assembly Session, VHWDA began partnering more closely with the
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to oversee the Graduate Medical
Education (GME) program for primary care and high-need specialties in underserved areas.
Supplemental GME payments are for new primary care and high-need specialty residency slots
are contingent on funding.
Supplemental Award: $100,000 annually for up to 4 years. For any residency program at a
facility whose Medicaid payments are capped by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS), the supplemental payments for each qualifying residency shall be $50,000 from the general
fund annually minus any Medicare residency payments for which the residency program is
eligible.
Specialty Areas for Funding
Consideration:
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Application for post-residency
high-need fellowships may be
considered
Funding Terms: Funding will be available for up to four years if the sponsoring institution
maintains the total number of residencies, including the new residency. Payments are made
quarterly.
30 GME Slots Awarded for FY24
55 GME Slots Swarded for FY25
VHWDA Biennial Report - 9
Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
Profit and Loss
July 2023 - June 2024
TOTAL
JUL 2023 - JUN 2024 JUL 2022 - JUN 2023 (PY) CHANGE % CHANGE
Income
CHW Training Revenue 10,205.78 10,205.78
Grant Income
Federal Earmark (Behavioral Health CHW) Income 169,000.00 169,000.00
HRSA AHEC Grant Income 1,519,229.02 222,432.61 1,296,796.41 583.01 %
State General Fund Ops Income 300,079.40 119,987.42 180,091.98 150.09 %
Total Grant Income 1,988,308.42 342,420.03 1,645,888.39 480.66 %
Other Types of Income (deleted)
Miscellaneous Income (deleted) 651.70 -651.70 -100.00 %
Total Other Types of Income (deleted) 651.70 -651.70 -100.00 %
Program Income
HRSA AHEC Centers 1,214,034.82 -1,214,034.82 -100.00 %
VDH Workforce Implementation 347,102.67 -347,102.67 -100.00 %
VRHA Grant (deleted) 317,527.19 -317,527.19 -100.00 %
Total Program Income 1,878,664.68 -1,878,664.68 -100.00 %
Sales of Product Income 45.80 -45.80 -100.00 %
State General Fund 222,250.00 -222,250.00 -100.00 %
State General Fund - Operation (deleted) 1,588.94 -1,588.94 -100.00 %
Total State General Fund 223,838.94 -223,838.94 -100.00 %
Total Income $1,998,514.20 $2,445,621.15 $ -447,106.95 -18.28 %
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of Goods Sold 0.00 0.00
Inventory Shrinkage 0.00 0.00
Total Cost of Goods Sold $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
GROSS PROFIT $1,998,514.20 $2,445,621.15 $ -447,106.95 -18.28 %
Expenses
AHEC CENTER COSTS
Blue Ridge AHEC 118,350.46 137,293.15 -18,942.69 -13.80 %
Capital Area AHEC 123,494.28 86,019.65 37,474.63 43.57 %
Eastern VA AHEC 123,494.28 65,845.31 57,648.97 87.55 %
EVMS (deleted) 40,742.58 -40,742.58 -100.00 %
NOVA AHEC 193,494.24 57,956.22 135,538.02 233.86 %
PATHS AHEC 147,216.28 146,727.59 488.69 0.33 %
Rappahannock Region 123,494.28 129,858.22 -6,363.94 -4.90 %
Accrual Basis Tuesday, January 21, 2025 03:14 PM GMT-05:00 1/4
Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
Profit and Loss
July 2023 - June 2024
TOTAL
JUL 2023 - JUN 2024 JUL 2022 - JUN 2023 (PY) CHANGE % CHANGE
SV AHEC 123,494.28 120,674.43 2,819.85 2.34 %
SW AHEC 166,302.46 179,183.82 -12,881.36 -7.19 %
Total AHEC CENTER COSTS 1,119,340.56 964,300.97 155,039.59 16.08 %
DIRECT COSTS
Contractual Costs 10,857.50 -10,857.50 -100.00 %
Banking Fees and Services 139.36 74,814.69 -74,675.33 -99.81 %
Consultant Services (deleted) 211,033.11 -211,033.11 -100.00 %
Deliotte Consulting LLP (deleted) 196,000.00 -196,000.00 -100.00 %
Total Consultant Services (deleted) 407,033.11 -407,033.11 -100.00 %
Consultants 211,385.70 44,958.81 166,426.89 370.18 %
Professional Services 14,178.37 14,178.37
Rent & Utilities 39,022.03 39,022.03
Software, Telecom, and IT Services 68,846.09 42,532.63 26,313.46 61.87 %
Total Contractual Costs 333,571.55 580,196.74 -246,625.19 -42.51 %
Equipment 18,089.20 1,367.37 16,721.83 1,222.92 %
Events, Training, and Travel 378.76 -378.76 -100.00 %
Conferences & Conventions 11,537.86 2,625.00 8,912.86 339.54 %
Meals 2,706.77 2,706.77
Travel 9,191.16 6,323.13 2,868.03 45.36 %
Total Events, Training, and Travel 23,435.79 9,326.89 14,108.90 151.27 %
Insurance, Dues (deleted)
Business Insurance (deleted) 60.59 -60.59 -100.00 %
Liability & D/O Insurance (deleted) 120.75 -120.75 -100.00 %
Membership Dues (deleted) 2,195.00 -2,195.00 -100.00 %
Total Insurance, Dues (deleted) 2,376.34 -2,376.34 -100.00 %
Operations (deleted) 8,272.28 -8,272.28 -100.00 %
Building or Office Rent (deleted) 425.00 -425.00 -100.00 %
Storage Rental (deleted) 1,112.00 -1,112.00 -100.00 %
Telecommunications (deleted) 6,787.34 -6,787.34 -100.00 %
Total Operations (deleted) 16,596.62 -16,596.62 -100.00 %
Other Operating Costs
Misc Operating Expenses 9,430.00 9,430.00
Total Other Operating Costs 9,430.00 9,430.00
Accrual Basis Tuesday, January 21, 2025 03:14 PM GMT-05:00 2/4
Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
Profit and Loss
July 2023 - June 2024
TOTAL
JUL 2023 - JUN 2024 JUL 2022 - JUN 2023 (PY) CHANGE % CHANGE
Personnel Expenses
Employer Taxes 46,108.36 97,450.33 -51,341.97 -52.69 %
Fringe Benefits 1,888.43 -1,888.43 -100.00 %
Accident Insurance Expense 14,472.17 10,764.16 3,708.01 34.45 %
Dental Expense 2,162.78 2,162.78
Flex Spending (Health) Expense 2,527.00 2,527.00
FSA Dependent Care Expense 1,499.94 1,499.94
Group Life Expense 554.87 554.87
Limited Purpose FSA Expense 800.02 800.02
Long Term Disability Expense 847.68 847.68
Medical Expense 32,121.79 32,121.79
Misc Benefits 10,754.02 10,754.02
Vision Expense 380.16 380.16
Total Fringe Benefits 66,120.43 12,652.59 53,467.84 422.58 %
Salaries & Wages 551,915.25 245,625.30 306,289.95 124.70 %
Workers Comp Insurance 389.30 389.30
Total Personnel Expenses 664,533.34 355,728.22 308,805.12 86.81 %
Supplies
Books, Subscriptions, Reference 2,247.00 2,247.00
Office Supplies 7,125.83 8,231.81 -1,105.98 -13.44 %
Postage, Mailing Service 614.12 -614.12 -100.00 %
Printing and Copying 757.11 1,002.80 -245.69 -24.50 %
Total Supplies 10,129.94 9,848.73 281.21 2.86 %
Total DIRECT COSTS 1,059,189.82 975,440.91 83,748.91 8.59 %
INDIRECT COSTS (deleted)
Other Costs (deleted) 5,336.09 -5,336.09 -100.00 %
Total INDIRECT COSTS (deleted) 5,336.09 -5,336.09 -100.00 %
Other Business Expenses (deleted) 188.89 -188.89 -100.00 %
Salaries & Benefits (deleted)
Executive Director (deleted) 3,813.22 -3,813.22 -100.00 %
Total Salaries & Benefits (deleted) 3,813.22 -3,813.22 -100.00 %
Uncategorized Expense 0.00 0.00
Total Expenses $2,178,530.38 $1,949,080.08 $229,450.30 11.77 %
NET OPERATING INCOME $ -180,016.18 $496,541.07 $ -676,557.25 -136.25 %
Other Income
Interest Earned 186.22 186.22
Total Other Income $186.22 $0.00 $186.22 0.00%
Other Expenses
Reconciliation Discrepancies -4,051.64 4,051.64 100.00 %
Accrual Basis Tuesday, January 21, 2025 03:14 PM GMT-05:00 3/4
Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority
Profit and Loss
July 2023 - June 2024
TOTAL
JUL 2023 - JUN 2024 JUL 2022 - JUN 2023 (PY) CHANGE % CHANGE
UNALLOWABLE COSTS (deleted)
Meals & Refreshments for Meetings (deleted) 720.74 -720.74 -100.00 %
Total UNALLOWABLE COSTS (deleted) 720.74 -720.74 -100.00 %
Total Other Expenses $0.00 $ -3,330.90 $3,330.90 100.00 %
NET OTHER INCOME $186.22 $3,330.90 $ -3,144.68 -94.41 %
NET INCOME $ -179,829.96 $499,871.97 $ -679,701.93 -135.98 %
Accrual Basis Tuesday, January 21, 2025 03:14 PM GMT-05:00 4/4
Acknowledgments
Thank you for reviewing VHWDA’s Biennial Report.
Please visit vhwda.org for me information.
VHWDA Staff VHWDA Board Members
Harrison Hayes, Executive Director David Abraham
Julia Billingsley, Director of Policy Sharon Alexander
Arthur Kellermann, MD, MPH, Senior Advisor Yvette Doresey, DNP, RN
Henry Lewis, Program Manager (GME & CHW) Karen Faison, PhD
Amanda Parsons, Data Coordinator Scott Fleming
Amy Paul, MD, MSHA, Director of Statewide GME Alexis Gerdes
Abbey Sandhovel, Program Specialist Jesse Goodrich
Amy Taloma, PhD, Director of Virginia AHEC The Honorable Ghazala Hashmi
Lauren Winston, Director of Strategic Partnerships The Honorable M. Keith Hodges
The Honorable L. Louise Lucas
Tiffany Covarrubias-Lyttle
Arne Ownes
Philmika Reid
Nicole Overley
Shannon Showalter
Vanessa Walker-Harris, MD
The Honorable Rodney Willett
Brian Yates, Ed.D
The Honorable Eric Zehr
VHWDA Biennial Report - 15
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