Tennessee

Tennessee, other states with abortion bans see drop in doctor residency applicants

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2024

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Tennessee, other states with abortion bans see drop in doctor residency applicants

Tennessee already faces a doctor shortage and a new
study by the Association of American Medical Colleges charted a sharp decline in residency applications.

Fewer rising doctors are interested in finishing their medical training in Tennessee, a concerning trend for a state already facing a physician shortage that is only projected to worsen over the next decade.

Tennessee last year saw a significant decrease in medical residency applications from medical school graduates entering the final phase of their training, according to a new study conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges, which also found that states with strict abortion bans experienced significant decreases in applications.

These states experienced decreases specifically to obstetrics and gynecology programs, despite a slight uptick in OB-GYN interest on average nationwide. While abortion laws can vary from state to state, many can carry criminal charges for doctors and complicate required medical education in reproductive health, abortion and pregnancy care.

In 14 states with abortion bans, researchers charted a nearly 7% decrease in OB-GYN program applications.

The landscape significantly worsened in Tennessee. Tennessee’s overall residency applications declined by more than 12%. Even larger decreases were seen in the OB-GYN specialty, at a nearly 21% decrease, and pediatrics specialty, at nearly 20%.

“The primary issue is we’re already in a health care provider shortage,” said Dr. Kyla Terhune, who leads Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s graduate medical education.

Tennessee’s doctor shortage among worst

A 2020 study forecast Tennessee will be short nearly 6,000 needed doctors by 2030, one of the worst shortages in the nation. The state has made some efforts to reverse the slide, such as a 2023 law creating a pathway for international doctors to practice in the state, but it has not yet reversed the trend.

Though the AAMC study only reviewed a year of data, continued decreases in doctors looking to finish their medical training in Tennessee could exacerbate these shortages.

Legal arguments: Court hears challenge to Tennessee abortion ban for those with health risks

“Any drop at all is concerning, because that only perpetuates the shortage,” Terhune said. “Every drop is really critical.”

At the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the pediatrics residency program saw a 10% decrease in residency applications. UTHSC pediatrics residency program director Dr. Bindiya Bagga said this mirrors a nationwide trends in pediatrics programs.

Bagga said through conversations with colleagues across the country, it seems local and state politics regarding access to reproductive health and transgender care “could certainly have played a significant role in applicant decisions, but it is hard to assign direct causality.”

Public policy plays role in recruitment

Terhune said local policies play a role in recruitment for young doctors in training who are looking not just for their future professional home, but a place to potentially start or grow their family.

“If you’re a young person at the beginning of your training, with a lot of uncertainty about your life and profession, it could impact our ability to recruit within the state,” Terhune said of Tennessee’s near-total abortion ban.

As rising doctors last year considered their residency options, Tennessee lawmakers were debating a small but significant change to the state’s abortion ban, which originally required doctors to knowingly commit a felony to perform an abortion, even to save a patient’s life. Tennessee doctors decried the state’s trigger ban as dangerous, and possibly deadly, for patients, and a severe legal burden for healthcare professionals.

Three women sue Tennessee over abortion law they say causes ‘catastrophic’ risks

In April 2023, the General Assembly passed a narrow legal exception allowing doctors to perform an abortion if their “reasonable” medical judgment finds it would prevent the death or severe injury of a pregnant patient.

“When providers face legal challenges when they’re trying to do their job, trying to provide care for individuals, that’s a very scary proposition. That’s very scary for someone beginning their training,” Terhune said. “If they have the option to be in a place where they will be protected and get the training they need for individuals they might encounter, they’re going to choose that place to train.”

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Tennessee

Leadership Tennessee announces 2024-2025 Signature Program participants

Published

36 mins ago

June 18, 2024

Press Room

Leadership Tennessee announces 2024-2025 Signature Program participants

Leadership Tennessee announced the participants in the 11th class of its yearly program, which brings together leaders from around the state to address concerns Tennessee faces.

Leadership Tennessee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rallying leaders from throughout the state to address critical issues and in a constructive and nonpartisan way. The 2024-2025 Signature Program Class XI consists of 48 people from 14 different counties across Tennessee, each representing distinct organizations and professional experiences.

The cohort will spend 10 months traveling the state to study the challenges Tennessee faces and work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities to improve.

“We are proud to challenge our cohorts to think critically about advancing our state in a variety of areas,” Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, said in a news release. “This class in particular will experience the program at the height of this year’s election. This will no doubt lead to even deeper and more thoughtful dialogue as state and federal discourse will be spiking in this moment.”

Leadership Tennessee’s 2024-2025 Signature Program Class XI participants

The following are listed alphabetically by county.

Davidson County

Jill Ayers, Judge, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
Monty Burks, Deputy Director of Governors Faith Based and Community Initiative, Office of the Governor
Clay Bright, CEO, Megasite Authority of West Tennessee
Nikki Burdine, News Anchor, WKRN
Brooxie Carlton, Assistant Commissioner, Community and Rural Development, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Joe Carrico, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Kate Chinn, Partner, MP&F
Natalie Cooper, President and CEO, Wellpoint TN
Steven Gentile, Executive Director, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Erin Hafkenschiel, President, ThinkTennessee
Johari Matthews, Vice President and Executive Director, ONE Community and Titans Foundation, Tennessee Titans
Bert McCarter, Attorney, McCarter East PLLC
Martesha Johnson Moore, Chief Public Defender, Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office
Karl Sprules, Chief Operating Officer, AllianceBernstein
Carey Whitworth, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, University of Tennessee System
Russell Ziecker, Executive Vice President, Head of Global TV Music, LIONSGATE and STARZ

Gibson County

Tina Prescott, Chief Operating Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare

Hamilton County

Casey Dungan, President and CEO, BlueCare Tennessee
Evann Freeman, Vice President, Government and Community Relations, EPB Chattanooga
Ian Leavy, Assistant General Counsel, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Joe Riley, Founder/Owner, Patriot Family Homes and Quail Run Farm
Mina Sartipi, Professor, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Knox County

Ben Bentley, CEO, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Jan Brown, VP, Talent and Culture, Tennessee Valley Authority
Clarice Phelps, Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Grant Rosenberg, Chief Operating Officer, City of Knoxville
Tammy White, President/CEO, Leadership Knoxville

Madison County

Monte Cooper, President and CEO, Jackson Energy Authority
Carol Rothstein, President, Jackson State Community College

Montgomery County

Lee Harrell, Chief of Staff, Montgomery County
Kimberly Wiggins, County Trustee, Montgomery County Government

Roane County

Bob Eby, Chairman, Tennessee State Board of Education

Robertson County

Zane Seals, Chief Financial Officer, Division of TennCare

Rutherford County

Dawn White, District 13 State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly

Shelby County

Kemp Conrad, Principal, Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Advisors, LLC
Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Memphis City Councilwoman, City of Memphis
Michael Fulton, Director of Government Affairs and Business Diversity Development, Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority
Tiffany Legington Graham, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, National Civil Rights Museum
Phillip May, President (Memphis), Pinnacle Financial Partners
Johnny Moore, Jr., Tennessee Regional President, Truist Financial
Chandell Ryan, President and CEO, Downtown Memphis Commission
Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis

Smith County

Bryan Wright, Executive Vice President, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Sullivan County

Carla Karst, Principal and Founder, Landstar and Workforce Homes Foundation
Frank Lett, President and Chief Tourism Officer, Visit Kingsport

Sumner County

Chassen Haynes, Regional Manager, U.S. State and Local Government Affairs, Ford Motor Company

Williamson County

Matt Largen, President and CEO, Williamson, Inc.
Mia McNeil, State Director, AARP Tennessee

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Tennessee

Tennessee senator announces ouster plan for DA Mulroy

Published

8 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee senator announces ouster plan for DA Mulroy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Senator Brent Taylor laid out his plan to oust the Shelby County District Attorney from his position on Monday.

This comes after Taylor and Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton expressed concerns about a diversion program DA Steve Mulroy announced last week.

Mulroy walked back on that plan Monday. According to him, the program would have used a rehabilitative approach for nonviolent offenders charged with possession of a firearm.

Objections to Mulroy’s way of handling criminals are not new, but after the announcement of the diversion program, lawmakers shared more of their opposition to the Shelby County DA.

Speaker Sexton said, “His actions will make Memphis even more unsafe.”

Taylor said the program is not only “nonsensical, but it is dangerous.”

Although he has since rescinded the idea, Sen. Taylor and Speaker Sexton say they are still considering ways to remove Mulroy from his position as district attorney.

“This ouster resolution was never about the diversion program, about whether or not convicted felons should have access to firearms, it was never about that,” said Sen. Taylor. “It was about the DA’s attempt to redefine what crime and punishment is in this state.”

Although the program is no more according to Mulroy, Taylor said he still plans to file an ouster resolution in November, immediately after the November election. He said he has to wait because resolutions cannot be filed for the next General Assembly until then.

Taylor said it would take 22 votes in the Senate and 66 votes in the House of Representatives to remove Mulroy from office.

“There will be committee hearings. DA Mulroy will have due process. He will have an opportunity to come to the General Assembly and answer the charges that will be in the resolution and to defend himself,” he said in a press conference Monday afternoon.

If he is removed, the governor will appoint a replacement who will serve until the next election.

Senate Minority Leader Senator Raumesh Akbari and Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Senator London Lamar condemned the ouster resolution.

Both said in a joint statement, “This unconstitutional attack on Shelby County’s district attorney sets a dangerous precedent. It looks like every local official is now on notice not to cross powerful, state politicians — or else.”

The senators went on to say “Crime did not start with the new Shelby County district attorney, and it is beneath the legislature to threaten local officials over a policy debate.”

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Tennessee

Lance Heard Listed as Breakout Candidate

Published

15 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Lance Heard Listed as Breakout Candidate

Tennessee football offensive lineman Lance Heard listed as a second-year breakout candidate in college football.

The Tennessee Volunteers will have some new faces on offense following this year’s offseason. Most will look at the quarterback position as Joe Milton is in the NFL now, but they will have some changes upfront as well. Specifically at the tackle position and one of the Volunteer’s options could have a breakout year.

Offensive tackle Lance Heard was amongst the list of college football second-year breakout candidates according to CBS. Heard played for the LSU Tigers last season and was selected to the 2023 All-SEC Freshman team after playing in all 12 games a season ago. He then elected to transfer to LSU this offseason and will look to make an impact in year one.

“Heard, the No. 3 offensive tackle in the Class of 2023, initially signed with LSU and spent his freshman season as one of the Tigers’ top reserves. Given the loaded depth chart ahead of him in Baton Rouge, which was filled with young starting options, Heard transferred to Tennessee as one of the top offensive linemen in the portal. He’ll start at left tackle immediately for the Vols, tasked with guarding new starting quarterback and former five-star Nico Iamaleava’s blindside,” CBS wrote.

Tennessee’s offensive line will need to keep Iamaleava upright this season if they plan on improving upon their record from a season ago. If they accomplish that, Heard will likely play a major role in that in his first year as a Volunteer.

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