Association of Clinicians for the Underserved

Join ACU on Nov. 6 for a webinar marking the conclusion of Improving Maternal-Child Health Outcomes, a national pilot initiative to establish sustainable, community-based doula training programs at community health centers.

☑️ Sign up to explore key findings, case studies, and more: bit.ly/475i1Vi

Apply to Join ACU's Board of Directors ACU is seeking outstanding leaders to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving, learn how to apply by Oct. 15.

ACU is seeking outstanding leaders to join our Board of Directors! We depend on the strategic guidance of a multifaceted Board to provide the transdisciplinary support clinicians need. If you’re an ACU member interested in lending your vision to us, indicate your interest by Oct. 15: bit.ly/4gXvDpY

Our 2026 Conference Call for Proposals is now open! You're invited to submit an abstract reflective of our theme, Riding the Wave of Transformation: All Hands on Deck, for workshops, roundtables, and more. Don't miss this chance to become part of #ACUConf.

➡️ Learn more: bit.ly/2026acucfp

Finger on the Pulse: The State of Primary Care in the U.S. and Nine Other Countries This brief compares the state of primary care in the United States with nine other high-income nations, to better understand how to improve patient care.

Compared to other high-income nations, the U.S. primary care system "trails its peers . . . Patients in the U.S. are among the least likely to have access," finds a new @commonwealthfund.org study. The need to invest in our primary care workforce and CHCs has never been more acute. bit.ly/46Uq47k

ACU is pleased to endorse the Health Care Workforce Expansion Act, which would aim to help address America's healthcare workforce shortage by alleviating debt for clinicians in training, increasing investment in training programs, and expanding the THCGME program. Learn more: bit.ly/46wxhvi

Programs like the National Health Service Corps "place clinicians in communities where the need is greatest. Restore funding and let clinicians do their jobs—a shutdown shouldn’t shut out patients.” ACU's CEO on how the shutdown is affecting the CHC workforce in Inside Health Policy: bit.ly/4mRjNiB

With a federal shutdown now in effect, ACU urges Congress to immediately restore government funding and reauthorize core health workforce programs—including the National Health Service Corps—that safeguard care in the nation’s medically underserved communities. Read our statement: bit.ly/46x7qU3

How much more would the average ACA Marketplace enrollee pay in out-of-pocket premiums in 2026 without the enhanced premium tax credits?

114% on average, or *more than double* what they pay now.

Our new analysis explains why: https://on.kff.org/3WfWxjj

Whether you're a new or experienced manager, you'll find information to sharpen your supervision in our Manager Training Series. And with only seven days left to register to join renowned trainer April Lewis and a virtual cohort of managers, now is the time to sign up! ☑️ Register now: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

'We Are Exhausted, Frustrated, and Sad': Docs Vent During Meeting With Senator Providers voiced concerns about erosion of trust between doctors and patients

"Providers talk about burnout, but this issue of patients not trusting the advice [the doctor] gives them -- that wears you down . . . We really need to figure out strategies to get our healthcare workers the help they need."

As this piece in MedPage Today examines, a shutdown would have massive implications for the Corps, health centers, and other health extender programs.

If Government Shuts Down, Federal Health Programs Would Feel the Pinch Community health centers, CMS among those that might curtail operations, say experts

"It's very hard in a health professions training program—to say to someone, 'Sign up for this loan repayment because we'll have your back' when the funding is so uncertain." Carole Johnson describes what a shutdown could mean for the National Health Service Corps in @medpagetoday.com: bit.ly/3IJxodM

Innovation is key in building the mental health workforce. Listen in to STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success as we talk with Adelante Healthcare's Susan Boyles on how to engage your staff and community to identify creative strategies to engage these professionals at CHCs.

🎙️Listen: bit.ly/46w1Wra

This stress is further exacerbated by a continuing stigma toward clinicians seeking mental health support. In the midst of immense transition in healthcare, workforce well-being supports are not merely important, but indispensable.

Physician Stress Returns to Peak Pandemic Levels, Survey Shows The healthcare landscape in the U.S. 'has been reshaped by significant changes'

"Nearly 6/10 physicians reported they have felt inappropriate feelings of anger, tearfulness, or anxiety during the last year," levels similar to those reported during the height of the pandemic, finds a new survey from The Physicians Foundation. Learn more in @medpagetoday.com: bit.ly/4mDOI1U

Our Manager Training Series kicks off soon! There's still time to sign up to join workforce thought leader April Lewis and a virtual cohort of supervisors from across the U.S. to learn how to manage high-functioning, mission-driven healthcare teams in our seminars. ☑️ Save your seat: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

Over Half of U.S. Healthcare Workers Plan to Look for New Jobs, Survey Says Burnout as well as inadequate compensation and lack of career advancement were cited as reasons

55% of healthcare workers will seek new positions in the next year, according to a survey in @medpagetoday.com. While the findings were new, the reasons were not: burnout, inadequate compensation, and lack of advancement were each heavily cited. Now, as ever, we must proactively support our staff.

Explore comprehensive workforce planning in our STAR² Center's Workforce Professional Development Series. Starting Oct. 23, these webinars will introduce you to key strategies in compensation, well-being, and career development to support operations and retention.

☑️ Register now: bit.ly/4pFSA56

Effective communication and conflict management are skills like any other, and must be invested in to better equip workforces to meet their goals. Join our STAR² Center for a webinar series on Oct. 7 & 21 on building communication and conflict management skills. ☑️ Register now: bit.ly/4mxBN1g

Thanks to all who joined our Leadership Lab! Today's office hours explored how healthcare managers can lead with curiosity. One key takeaway? Incorporating "curiosity rounds" to check in with staff can build engagement and trust. Missed today's Lab? Join our next session on Sept. 24: bit.ly/4n8tiup

Today we honor National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Physicians and other healthcare workers are significantly more likely to end their lives by suicide than the general population. We can change this. Learn national expert Dr. Virna Little and find supportive resources: bit.ly/4pqXQcD

#NPSADay

"In general, Medicaid patients who lived in the most socially disadvantaged zip codes were less likely to have a primary care visit... [but] community health centers helped fill the void left by the lack of other [providers]." Read more from @geigergibson.bsky.social: bit.ly/4ppO6PK

#CHCs

"You Are a Manager... Now What?" Our certificate-granting manager training series with workforce leader April Lewis will help you answer that question regardless of your level of experience. Join a cohort of healthcare managers from across the U.S. for seminars starting Oct. 9: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

Healthcare workers are significantly more likely to end their lives by suicide than the general population. We can change this: on #WorldSuicidePreventionDay and beyond, let’s care for all those at risk, including the healers.

➡️Learn how and raise awareness with our kit: bit.ly/4gdbFHq

Curious about what's in store in our certificate-granting management training series, "You Are a Manager... Now What?" Browse descriptions for each of the interactive seminars with workforce thought leader April Lewis beginning Oct. 9 on our website.

📌Learn more and sign up now: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

5 Key Facts about Medicaid’s Share of National Health Spending | KFF To provide historical context for how changes to Medicaid spending may impact national health spending trends, this brief explores how Medicaid spending contributes to national health spending and how...

To provide historical context for how changes to #Medicaid spending may impact national health spending trends, @kff.org brief explores how Medicaid spending has contributed to national health spending trends and how different service areas contribute to Medicaid costs. www.kff.org/medicaid/5-k...

Did you know that nearly half of people who end their lives by suicide visit their primary care provider in the month before their passing? Primary care teams can play key roles in suicide prevention. Learn about Suicide Safer Care as we honor #SuicidePreventionMonth: bit.ly/suicidesafercare

Becoming a leader can be difficult, but our virtual training series can help you more than manage it. Join ACU's National Center in our second virtual training series for new and experienced managers starting Oct. 9 with workforce expert April Lewis.

👉 Sign up now: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

#Management

ACU Urges Congress to Expand Funding for the NHSC As funding cliffs loom, ACU sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to protect and expand funding to $950 million for the NHSC.

ACU urges Congress to expand funding for the National Health Service Corps to $950 million to meaningfully address the severity of the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage in the U.S. Read our letter to Congressional leadership to learn why expanding support for the NHSC is crucial: bit.ly/47VNuv2

Supportive partnerships are vital to the “grow your own” approach to workforce development. Join OKPCA's Meadow Hazelhoff as she explains how strategic partnerships & processes can support the #MentalHealth workforce at CHCs in STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success.

🎙️ Start listening: bit.ly/4m0mWwg