Physicians, researchers and representatives from the biotech industry discuss diversity in the health workforce. (Photo by p.cunningham) |
Representatives from academic medical centers and biotech companies recently met with Rep. Hilda L. Solis at City of Hope to discuss federal issues critical to research. As a member of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Solis gave an overview of legislative priorities relating to federal health agencies, institutions and initiatives. These included the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, Medicaid, biomedical programs and public health.
In addition, Solis discussed her own legislative priorities in Congress to address disparities in access to medical services, as well as how to increase diversity in both the medical and research workforce. City of Hope staff and others described their partnerships with high schools and colleges to increase diversity in the workforce, and Solis challenged the group to develop new outreach programs to assist California children to pursue careers in math and sciences.
City of Hope and the California Healthcare Institute co-hosted the health-care roundtable in August. The roundtable was led by Kathleen Kane, executive vice president of development and external affairs, along with Solis.