Press Release
October 1, 2004

Clary named co-chair of new study commission
Speaker Morgan Appoints Representative Clary to Lead the Health Care Workforce Development Study Commission

Raleigh- Last week, House Speaker Richard T. Morgan announced his appointments to study commissions meeting during the legislative interim. Representative Debbie Clary was named co-chair of the Health Care Workforce Development Study Commission. “I'm excited to lead this study commission,” said Representative Clary. “ North Carolina is in the midst of a nursing shortage, and I'm looking forward to working with the commission members in coming up with practical, long-term solutions to this problem,” she stated.

“Debbie has done such a great job with her committee assignments in the past. As a chair of the Appropriations Committee, she has proven herself to be an effective leader. She has also been a valuable member of the House standing committee on Health. I know she'll make a significant contribution to this committee,” said Speaker Morgan.

The goal of the Health Care Workforce Development Study is to create a plan that will boost the number of people working in health and dental care in North Carolina . More specifically, the commission will explore the role of community colleges and four-year universities in training these workers, whether it is appropriate for the General Assembly to provide additional incentives to schools and individuals, and how to address the physician and dentist shortage in rural North Carolina.

Speaker Morgan named Representative Jeff Barnhart to the commission as well, and appointed two public members to the commission. One is Dr. Steve Scott, President of Wake Technical Community College . The other is Nena Reeves, a home care administrator. The Health Care Workforce Development Commission will present an interim report to the Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly before presenting their final report to the 2006 Regular Session.