The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $750,000 to the University of North Dakota to establish a Health Workforce Assistance Center as a "single point of entry" for health workforce information.

"The nation's healthcare system faces major challenges as a result of workforce shortages and technological advances," says HRSA Administrator Elizabeth Duke. "In response, HRSA will support the university's 'one-stop shop' for health professionals, employers, government agencies, researchers, policymakers and anyone who needs up-to-date information on health workforce topics and trends."

The new center's Web site and electronic mailing lists will provide information on:

* health workforce programs and funding sources;
* workforce data, research and policy;
* educational opportunities and models;
* best practices; and
* related news and events.

In addition, center information specialists will offer free customized assistance.

The health workforce includes practitioners in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, mental health, allied health, other trained health care providers and the staff that supports them.

HRSA's Bureau of Health Professions awarded the 2008 fiscal year cooperative agreement to UND under the Health Professions Partnership Act of 1998.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. For more information, visit www.hrsa.gov.