With no new applications from local health care facilities to assist with the recruitment of physicians, the Health Care Action Team has decided to use funding toward educating Chautauqua County medical students.

On Thursday, the volunteer group of medical professionals decided to repurpose the $35,000 grant they received from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. In February 2017, the foundation had granted the funding to HCAT for physician recruitment. However, with a deadline of July to use the money toward recruiting physicians and having no applications for funding support from local health care providers, HCAT decided the funding should go toward providing health care educational opportunities for medical students from Chautauqua County.

Dr. Lillian Ney, HCAT chairwoman, said they will need the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s permission to repurpose the funds. Also, she said HCAT still has other grant funds to assist medical facilities with the recruitment of physicians if they receive any future applications.

During recent meetings, HCAT discussed what to do with funding they have for physician recruitment. In 2012, HCAT started working toward assisting medical organizations in recruiting physicians by offering an incentive grant. HCAT doesn’t recruit the physicians, but facilitates in helping to draw medical professionals to the community. HCAT secured money from several foundations including the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, and the Sheldon and Lenna foundations. The HCAT initiative brought eight physicians to this area.

However, with the merger of UPMC and WCA Hospital in 2016 and other advancements for area medical organizations, Ney said, during HCAT’s March meeting, HCAT doesn’t need to provide as much assistance to community health care facilities with the recruitment of physicians.

HCAT, which is a subcommittee of the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, was formed to focus on the impact of health care on development in the community, as well as accessible, high-quality health care for residents.