Community Conversations on Health Care
In 2023 , Tadd Haynes , president of UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia , hosted a series of community conversations in Huntington , Beckley , Morgantown and Martinsburg that brought together thought leaders in the areas of health care , academia , community organization and state government to talk about the unique needs of individual communities .
“ It was a way for UniCare to bring people together to discuss the most pressing needs in the state and strategize ways we can make progress ,” Haynes says .
“ There is a significant need to grow our health care workforce in roles across the spectrum : phlebotomists , mental health professionals , nurses , EMTs , neurosurgeons — everything ,” he says .
“ Childcare is also a barrier to many parents entering the workforce . Many folks are facing challenges with social drivers of health : food security , stable housing and transportation being a few that we consistently heard about .”
UniCare is working toward releasing a white paper that summarizes the findings and makes policy recommendations , with plans to hold more events .
“ It is important we listen so we can adequately respond ,” says Haynes . “ One of the things we have already started doing as a follow-up is working with West Virginia State University to put together a statewide assessment of the most pressing needs , not only for right now , but in the foreseeable future , around health care workforce needs .”
We are working with organizations in different parts of the state to provide virtual reality glasses so at-risk students can use job simulation software to experience what it is like to be an electrician or a plumber . Having a team that is not only working with members to make sure they have annual wellness checkups but also making sure they have stable housing and a pathway to post-secondary education is what makes me excited to come to work every day . We are in a unique position to see the specific needs of our members and a macro-level view of the health care delivery system and community support systems , and we can help bring them all together . I take that responsibility very seriously .”
Over the past five years , Haynes has learned that he doesn ’ t have to have all the answers , but by being surrounded by people who truly care , he can find the answers he needs — and he finds those people in his home state of West Virginia .
“ I grew up in Sissonville . I left shortly after graduating college to work in
Chicago . When I came back , I vowed I ’ d never leave again , as long as I could provide for my family . I have been blessed to be able to do that here . I unapologetically love West Virginia ,” he says .
Haynes shows his dedication to his family and community by volunteering as chairman of the West Virginia Association of Health Plans and as a member of the West Virginia State University Board of Visitors , Child Evangelism Fellowship local committee and River Ridge Children ’ s Ministries . While he is accomplished , he believes there is much left to do .
“ West Virginia has a high rate of first-generation college attendance . We are facing critical health care workforce shortages now and for the foreseeable future . We have thousands of children dealing with adverse childhood experiences . We are still working through the aftermath of the opioid epidemic . We have to find solutions to these issues , and my hope is that I can continue to be part of those conversations ,” he says . •
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