New Blog Post: How has RN Retention in North Carolina Changed over Time?

North Carolina is projected to face a shortage of approximately 12,500 registered nurses in 2033 (NC Nursecast). Our latest blog summarizes findings from an analysis of registered nurse retention and exit from the NC workforce between 2016 and 2023 using licensure data collected by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Authors: Caroline Spencer, Abhi Joshi, Evan… Read more »

Dr. Lombardi and Moore present to NCIOM Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program

On January 27th, Program Co-Director Dr. Brianna Lombardi and Sheps Workforce NC/HPDS Director Dr. Catherine Moore presented at the 2025 North Carolina Institute of Medicine Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program. The program brings together legislative assistants to learn from health policy experts about key health issues facing the state. Drs. Lombardi and Moore presented about the… Read more »

Carolina researchers awarded $11M to strengthen physician and dental training programs in underserved areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration funding will expand existing UNC-Chapel Hill initiatives that support the development of residency programs to improve North Carolinians’ access to health care. As part of its strategy to improve access to healthcare, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a contract to the University of North Carolina… Read more »

Sheps announces new HPDS Director: Catherine Moore, PhD, MSN, RN

  Catherine Moore, PhD, MSN, RN joined the Program for Health Workforce Research and Policy in April. Dr. Moore joins the team as the Director of Sheps Health Workforce NC and the North Carolina Health Professions Data System (NC Health Workforce – North Carolina Health Professional Supply Data). She will lead state health workforce initiatives… Read more »

Erin Fraher appointed to Congressional Budget Office Panel of Health Advisors

Our Program Co-director, Dr. Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP, has been appointed to the 2024 Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Panel of Health Advisors. Dr. Fraher joins a distinguished group of health policy and healthcare experts. The CBO hosts an annual meeting to discuss important and emerging health care issues and also engages with advisors throughout the… Read more »

Dr. Brianna Lombardi Appointed Co-Director of Health Workforce Research Program

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research is pleased to announce the appointment of Brianna Lombardi, PhD, MSW as Co-Director of the Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. This prestigious role recognizes Dr. Lombardi’s significant contributions to the field and underscores her growing influence and impact within North Carolina, nationally, and internationally…. Read more »

Erin Fraher gives inaugural Peter Curtis Lecture

Sheps Health Workforce Program Director Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP gave the inaugural Peter Curtis Lecture to the UNC Family Medicine Faculty Development Fellows on Friday, June 7th. Entitled “Harnessing the Friction to Influence Policy: The Power of Research Questions that Emerge from the Clinic,” Dr. Fraher’s presentation challenged fellows to follow their passion, ignite their… Read more »

Forecasting Future Supply of Pediatric Subspecialties: Addressing Misalignment with Population Health Needs

The Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy at the Sheps Center partnered with Strategic Modelling and Analysis Ltd. (SMAP) and Dr. Colin Orr from the Department of Pediatrics at UNC-CH to develop a model forecasting the future supply of 14 pediatric sub-specialties. The model, released in January 2024, forecasts pediatric subspecialist supply out to 2040 at the national… Read more »

New NC Workforce Blog: racial/ethnic diversity trends

Trends in the racial and ethnic diversity of NC health professions Brianna Lombardi, Haley Simons, Connor Sullivan, Evan Galloway, and Erin Fraher examined trends in the racial/ethnic diversity of health workforce in North Carolina using the Health Professions Data System’s (HPDS) licensure data from 2009-2022. They specifically analyzed how four of the North Carolina health… Read more »

New NC Workforce Blog: 2022 racial/ethnic diversity

How does the racial and ethnic diversity of NC health professionals compare to the racial and ethnic diversity of the state population? Trends in the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Health Professions (2022) Brianna Lombardi, Haley Simons, Connor Sullivan, Evan Galloway, and Erin Fraher analyzed trends in the racial/ethnic diversity of selected North Carolina health… Read more »

Erin Fraher Presents to 2024 NCIOM Legislative Policy Fellows

Workforce Program Director Dr. Erin Fraher presented at the first session of the NCIOM Legislative Health Policy Fellows in 2024 on January 8th. This program, funded by the Duke Endowment, brings together state legislators to learn from health policy experts about key health issues facing the state. Dr. Erin Fraher presented to the NCIOM Legislative… Read more »