IHA Partner Offers Access to 40K International Clinicians for Direct Hire
To fill staffing gaps, hospitals have increasingly looked beyond the United States to hire nurses and other healthcare professionals.
IHA Strategic Partner Medical Solutions, through its subsidiary WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, can help connect Illinois hospitals and health systems to qualified international clinicians—and navigate recent changes to the H-1B visa program.
WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions has a network of over 40,000 experienced clinicians, most with 8-10 years of experience, who have passed the NCLEX exam required to work in the U.S. Through its direct hire model, the company brings in skilled professionals as full-time, permanent staff to fill needed roles, reduce reliance on contingent labor and lower workforce costs.
“Illinois hospitals continue to face workforce pressures, and partnerships that deliver sustainable solutions are critical,” said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. “Through its international recruitment expertise, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions can help our members strengthen their care teams, expand access to skilled professionals, and remain focused on advancing the health of the patients and communities they serve.”
IHA advocates for public policies that allow hospitals greater access to foreign-trained health professionals, including Illinois licensure for physicians trained in another country, to address the healthcare workforce issues facing Illinois hospitals. WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions has been monitoring President Trump’s Friday proclamation that includes a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications. See the company’s
FAQs webpage for more information.
Medical Solutions representatives will be at IHA Leadership Summit this Thursday and Friday to answer your questions about WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions.
IDPH Issues Fall Vaccine Guidance, COVID-19 Standing Order
IDPH also recommends, for routine, non-seasonal vaccines, that healthcare providers continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization schedules for
children and
adults issued as of Aug. 7, which are based on years of science, research, data, and best practices, according to a IDPH
news release. These measures are being taken in accordance with the
Executive Order issued by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this month.
The fall
vaccine guidance was adopted by IDPH after robust discussion and votes made by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee on Monday.
IDPH also issued
vaccination guidance for the 2025-2026 respiratory illness season. Along with these
recommendations, Director Sameer Vohra, MD, issued a standing order allowing residents who need to get a COVID-19 vaccine to have access in pharmacies and other clinical settings. The
standing order will facilitate healthcare providers in pharmacies and other clinical settings to administer COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with IDPH’s recommendations.
For other routine, non-seasonal vaccinations, IDPH continues to recommend that providers follow the Aug. 7, CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and the Adult Immunization Schedules located on
IDPH’s website.
Gov. Directs Agencies to Identify Reserves Up to 4% of FY26 Gen. Funds
Yesterday, Gov. JB Pritzker signed
Executive Order (EO) 2025-05 directing state agencies to identify up to 4% of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 General Fund appropriations to reserve in order to maintain core services. The Governor pointed to the substantial reductions advanced by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) and other federal economic policies, which significantly reduce federal Medicaid funding and other long-standing federal support programs.
The EO says the significant and negative healthcare changes caused by H.R. 1 will likely result in a loss of revenue to the state, as well as loss of medical coverage and jobs. In response, the Governor issued the EO to “maintain a balanced budget and uphold responsible fiscal management. “The State must act with urgency and resolve to reinforce its finances and build reserve funds to withstand future uncertainties,” the EO says.
Under the order, in addition to identifying the 4% of General Fund appropriations, agencies under the Governor are instructed to:
- Conduct immediate budget reviews to identify efficiencies and reductions.
- Limit non-essential spending, purchases and travel.
- Review all hiring decisions and prioritize only essential roles.
- Propose programmatic changes or appropriation transfers if FY26 budget shortfalls emerge.
Agencies must submit reports on their progress to the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget within 30 days. The EO took effect immediately.
New Clinical Guidelines Discourage Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has
issued new clinical guidelines that recommend pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those planning a pregnancy, should be screened for cannabis use and strongly discouraged from using it. ACOG pointed to increasing evidence that links cannabis to preterm births, low birth weight and developmental delay. Women most often use cannabis during the first trimester to address pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea; in fact, the guidelines estimate cannabis usage among adults aged 19-22 years may be as high as 43%. Cautioning against blood or urine screenings, ACOG instead is urging physicians to talk with their patients about cannabis use, counsel them on the risks and discourage its use.
