Letter to the Editor: As demand for healthcare grows, APPs are key to timely access to care for all in need

During the past 10 years, much has changed in the field of healthcare and at Blessing Health System. One of the areas of greatest growth is in the people providing your care.

Given an aging population and the large number of people living with chronic medical diseases and mental illness, the demand for health care today is larger than ever. These factors have led to increased competition for doctors. Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) have stepped up to help answer the challenge and keep timely access to quality healthcare available to all in need. 

APPs are physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified anesthesiologist assistants. These providers are educated, trained, certified and licensed to assess, diagnose, treat and manage illnesses, prescribe medications, perform clinical procedures and conduct clinical research in the management of the whole individual. This important group of providers elevates the fields of medicine and nursing. They are a vital part of the team ensuring our patients and communities receive safe, high-quality evidence-based care.

Blessing Health employs more than 100 APPs, an increase of almost 900 percent during the last 10 years. They work in almost every field — primary care, urgent care, emergency medicine and nearly every specialty clinic and inpatient hospital department across the health system.

Nationwide, the role of APPs is expected to continue to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects their employment will grow 45 percent through 2030.

Blessing’s APPs work with physicians and every other member of the care team to help fulfill our mission of improving the health of our communities and our vision to be exceptional in providing a safe, high-quality healthcare experience.

The week of Sept. 23 is National Advanced Practice Provider Week. On behalf of all Blessing Health patients and staff, thank you to these selfless individuals for sharing their exceptional skill and compassion in providing people with the care they need when they need it. 

Brian T. Canfield
President/Chief Executive Officer
Blessing Health System and Blessing Hospital