Strategic Partnership Advances Regional Healthcare and Sustainable Development Goals

A collaborative initiative between Meritus Health, Frostburg State University, and the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH) is making significant strides in advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By training and retaining healthcare professionals in Western Maryland, the partnership directly addresses regional needs while contributing to global targets for health, education, and economic growth.

Addressing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Enhancing Healthcare Access in Underserved Regions

The core mission of the partnership is to improve health outcomes by increasing the availability of qualified healthcare providers, a key target of SDG 3. The Physician Assistant program was specifically developed to combat the growing need for healthcare access in the region, with a curriculum focused on serving rural and underserved populations.

• The program’s mission, as stated by Interim Department Chair Kerry Birney, is to “ensure we have good access to healthcare in the Western Maryland region.”
• This directly supports SDG Target 3.c, which calls for a substantial increase in the recruitment, training, and retention of the health workforce in areas of need.

Strengthening the Local Health Workforce

The program, which began in 2019, now graduates 25 students annually, creating a sustainable pipeline of talent. Meritus Health is set to welcome four recent graduates, demonstrating the program’s immediate impact on the local health system.

1. Kelly Combs
2. Gabriela Scott
3. Poojah Shah
4. Jessica Shank

Fostering Quality Education and Economic Opportunity (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

A Model for Quality Education and Skill Development

The initiative exemplifies SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing high-quality tertiary education with a direct pathway to employment. The collaboration ensures the curriculum is relevant and effective.

• Meritus Health provides essential real-world clinical training and a medical director for the program, currently Dr. Aaron George.
• The high standard of this practical education is evidenced by the recognition of Dr. Bernardo Diaz Jr. as the preceptor of the year.
• This aligns with SDG Target 4.4, which aims to increase the number of adults with relevant skills for employment and decent work.

Promoting Local Employment and Economic Growth

By creating skilled jobs and encouraging graduates to remain in the area, the partnership fosters local economic vitality, a cornerstone of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Admission preferences are given to students from Western Maryland and adjacent counties to promote a “grow-your-own” model. Maulik Joshi, CEO of Meritus Health, noted, “It is important to our community that we have healthcare providers who know and understand our region.”

A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10, 11, & 17)

Commitment to Reducing Regional Disparities

The program’s targeted recruitment from local counties is a strategic effort to reduce inequalities (SDG 10) in both educational opportunity and healthcare access. By bolstering the local healthcare infrastructure, the partnership contributes to the development of more resilient and sustainable communities (SDG 11), ensuring residents have access to essential services.

Partnership as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development

This initiative is a powerful demonstration of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which encourages collaboration between public, public-private, and civil society entities. The success of the program relies on the distinct and complementary roles of each partner.

• Meritus Health: Provides clinical infrastructure, expert medical direction, and employment pathways.
• Frostburg State University: Delivers the accredited Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies academic program.
• University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH): Hosts the program and facilitates the collaboration to serve the regional community.

As stated by USMH Executive Director Jacob Ashby, “USMH and Meritus work really well together,” underscoring the effectiveness of this partnership in achieving shared sustainable development objectives.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus on healthcare access, professional training, and local partnerships links the content to the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core theme of the article is addressing the shortage of healthcare providers and improving healthcare access in the Western Maryland region.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article centers on a specific higher education program—the physician assistant program at Frostburg State University—designed to train skilled professionals.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The program serves as a direct pipeline to employment, creating jobs for graduates and retaining skilled labor within the local economy.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The success of the initiative is explicitly attributed to the collaboration between a health system (Meritus Health) and educational institutions (Frostburg State University and USMH).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific targets can be identified for the relevant SDGs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.c: “Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce…”
  • Explanation: The article directly addresses this target by describing a program created to train and retain physician assistants. The text states, “The program was developed in collaboration with Meritus Health to address the region’s growing need for healthcare access” and “There is a need for physicians and physician assistants in our region.” The partnership’s goal is to increase the local health workforce.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.3: “By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.”
  • Explanation: The article focuses on the “Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies program,” a form of tertiary education. It also notes that admission preferences are given to students from the local region, promoting access for the local population.
• Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
  • Explanation: The program is specifically designed to provide graduates with expert medical skills for immediate employment. The article highlights that Meritus Health gets “people who not only are experts in their field of medicine, but they also choose to live and work here.”

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…”
  • Explanation: The program provides a clear pathway to employment. The article mentions, “A specific track was recently created for students intending to work at Meritus after graduation,” and it names four graduates who are starting jobs with the health system.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…”
  • Explanation: The entire initiative is an example of a public-private partnership. The article emphasizes this collaboration, stating, “USMH and Meritus work really well together” and calling the partnerships a “win-win.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

Indicators for SDG 3 (Target 3.c)

• Number of healthcare professionals trained and retained: The article states the program “graduates 25 students annually” and that “four new physician assistants” are joining Meritus Health. This directly measures the increase in the local health workforce.

Indicators for SDG 4 (Targets 4.3 & 4.4)

• Number of students graduating from the program: The article specifies that the program “graduates 25 students annually.”
• Graduate employment rate: The article implies a high employment rate by noting that a “specific track was recently created for students intending to work at Meritus after graduation” and that the four mentioned graduates “are set to start with the health system in the fall.”

Indicators for SDG 8 (Target 8.5)

• Number of local jobs created for graduates: The article explicitly mentions four graduates who have secured jobs, demonstrating the program’s success in creating local employment opportunities.

Indicators for SDG 17 (Target 17.17)

• Existence and effectiveness of the partnership: The article itself serves as evidence of a functioning partnership. Quotes like “USMH and Meritus work really well together” and the description of Meritus providing a medical director and clinical training are qualitative indicators of the partnership’s success.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: heraldmailmedia.com