RPA Coalition's Webinar Series hosted in partnership with the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

The Refugee Physicians Advocacy (RPA) Coalition and Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) are pleased to announce a webinar series aimed at informing medical executives throughout Virginia how skilled International Physicians can help grow your workforce pipeline.

RPA Coalition Webinar Session 1:

Virginia’s New Provisional License Pathway for International Physicians: What You Need to Know

November 13, 2024

12:00 - 1:00 PM EST

The United States, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, are facing a healthcare workforce crisis with shortfalls projected to increase as the population ages. In addition to shortages, there is a mismatch of talent. Rural communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color are served by a medical workforce that often lacks the diversity to best serve their populations. According to pre-COVID estimates, 270,000 under-utilized foreign-trained health workers are ready and available to serve. As seen in other states like Washington, creating pathways for this workforce can help address the growing physician shortage in the US.

On April 4, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Virginia House Bill 995 into law to create a pathway for International Physicians who have immigrated to Virginia, including those whose careers were interrupted by forcible displacement, to fill workforce gaps in medically underserved communities. This webinar will explore Virginia House Bill 995 and how organizations can take advantage of this new law and available workforce to fill vacancies and meet patient needs.

The RPA Webinar Session 1 presentation topics will include:

• Introduction to Refugee Physicians Advocacy (RPA) Coalition

  • Dr. Sarah Kureshi, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Medstar Medical Group Family Medicine

• Virginia’s New Provisional License Pathway for International Physicians

  • Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran who championed HB995

  • Mike Zimmer, World Education Services

• International Physicians: The Benefits and Opportunity

  • Dr. Hosai Hesham, Maryland ENT Associates, Afghan Medical Professional Associates of America

  • Dr. Karen Smith, George Washington School of Medicine, Children’s National Medical Center

  • Jonathan Wolfson, Cicero Institute

• Lessons from Other States

  • Dr. Mohamed Khalif, The International Medical Graduates Academy

• Provisional License Readiness Partners

  • Dr. Kacie Saulters, University of Maryland, Capital Region Health, Internal Medicine Program Director

  • Amy Taloma, PhD, Virginia Healthcare Workforce Development Authority

• What Hospitals Can Do Now to Prepare

Dr. Stephanie Goldberg, Mary Washington Medical Group

Save the Date

RPA Coalition Webinar Session 2:

How International Physicians Can Help Grow Your Health Workforce Pipeline

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

12:00 - 1:00 PM EST