With the workforce shortage that has occurred as a result of the worldwide pandemic, The American Association of International Healthcare Recruiters needed emergency legislation in Kentucky to protect more than 400 of their foreign educated nurses, nurse aides and medical technologists who are currently working in Kentucky. Through the Top Shelf Team Approach, within two weeks in the short Session of the General Assembly, strategies were implemented using a common sense approach and solution to a problem no members of the Legislature even knew existed. Our team knew the Health Services Committee was very full, so we made a workforce investment issue allowing the measure to pass quickly through the House and into the Senate. The Top Shelf team approached a Freshman legislator who is a nurse in a large hospital system. She was the right champion for the issue and passed her first piece of legislation as a member of the House of Representatives and signed into law by the Governor.
“The efficiency, professionalism and quick action by the Top Shelf Team allowed our Industry to advocate for change during this workforce crisis of healthcare worker shortages throughout our Country and specifically in Kentucky.”
– Patty Jeffrey, Board Chair, AAIHR