NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, INC.

With the passage of the 2010 health care reform legislation, primary care (and access to it), health promotions and disease prevention, concept of the "medical home", use of electronic medical records, reduction of medical errors and overall patient safety have come into the forefront. Yet the reality is that this nation is experiencing a severe shortage of primary care physicians ( a shortage of 44,000 by 2025). In Florida this shortage is significant because of its large population over 65 years of age at 17.4%, the largest percentage in the U.S. In implementing the mandates within the new health care reform plan, the paucity of primary care practioner is further challenged by the lack of integration of public health theory and practice within medical schools and the almost non-existent integration of interprofessional skills development. To address these multitied challenges, the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University proposes to implement a program to develop interprofessional leaders who link public health training to community-oriented primary care practice. This dual degree program will provide a cohort of students starting with Year II with the opportunity to attain both the DO and MPH degree in 4 years. This interprofessional program will emphasize primary care practice and public health program and services. The dual degree will address primary care and related public health issues outlined The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 including:1) public health programs, services, and advocacy; 2) biomedical informatics an use of electronic health records;3) health disparities and cultural competence; 4) health promotion and disease prevention in primary care delivery; 5) concept of the medical home; and 6) interprofedssional practice. The project will be carried out over a five-year period with a well-defined sustainability plan. Students will enter the dual degree program in the second year of medical school. Given the paucity of underrepresented minorities and those from educationally and economically disadvantaged groups in primary care practice, targeted efforts will be directed at recruitment and retention of these groups. Students for this dual degree program will be recruited at the baccalaureate degree level, enrolling in a special three year degree completion program(saving 1 year of tuition). Also assisting students in reducing some of the cost associated with the program, the NSU-COM physician's Foundation will provide for two thirds of the tuition costs for the Master's in Public Health (MPH) for the students in the dual degree program. Students will pledge to go into primary care residency and primary care practice following graduation (minimum of 3 years). Failure to do so will require approximately $13,000 tuition re-payment for the public health degree. A primary care funding priority and funding preference are being requested. A total of 3 new positions are being created in response to ARRA.

Clarification of Codes