Congratulations to Stephanie Ibemere, assistant professor, who has received an award from Augusta University for the Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged (PRIDE) in Health-Related Research — Functional and Translational Genomics of Blood Disorders (FTG) application entitled: “Assessing Advanced Practice Provider Disease Management, Knowledge Skills and Practice." This award is for a one-year period with a project start date of January 1.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex, chronic condition characterized by chronic vaso-occlusive episodes, chronic, hemolytic anemia, and reperfusion injury which often leads to irreversible multi-organ damage and premature mortality. To reduce morbidity and mortality due to SCD, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) developed evidence-based guidelines for the overall management of SCD which includes general health maintenance and recommendations for the use of hydroxyurea, a disease modifying therapy. Consistent access to outpatient SCD specialists coupled with primary care based chronic disease management can: 1. reduce the frequency of acute complications and 2. improve overall health and well-being for individuals living with SCD. However, the decline in physician supply both in primary and specialty care (especially in benign hematology, where most SCD experts practice) has shifted many healthcare services, including benign hematology, to the advanced practice provider (APP).5-7 APPs, which include nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA), represent a large cadre of primary care providers in the U.S.6 Workforce projections into 2030 suggest the number of nurse practitioners to increase by 6.8% and 4.3% for PAs. In comparison, annual percentage growth for physicians will remain 1.1%, the same percentage growth as 2010-2016. A recent analysis of Medicaid beneficiaries with SCD demonstrated that 84% of all care occurred in primary care or non-hematology settings, at least 30% of which was rendered by advanced practice providers (APPs; nurse practitioners and physician assistants). Considering the decline in the physician workforce is predicted to continue in primary care and benign hematology, there is a pressing need to evaluate and build capacity for SCD management in APPs.