Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Vacancies topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Milwaukee committee hears that nursing vacancies have reduced reproductive-health clinic hours; requests commissioner report
Summary
Committee members pressed Health Department and HR staff about a cluster of long-standing vacancies in reproductive and sexual health nursing positions, were told hiring is underway but clinic hours have been reduced, and requested a formal written report from the health commissioner detailing service impacts and staffing plans.
Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevich and committee members pressed city human resources and Health Department staff on Oct. 29 about a sustained shortage of reproductive and sexual-health nurses that staff said has forced cutbacks in clinic hours.
"Absolutely. I mean, we've had to reduce clinic hours," Sarah Wallisch, an HR representative, said when asked whether services had been compromised. Wallisch said interviews are being scheduled and the department has reauthorized historic requisitions to try to fill longstanding vacancies.
Committee members asked whether pay, management or other factors were driving the vacancies. "When's the last time we did a market study on the position? Are we paying enough?" Alderman Peter Bergellis asked. Wallisch said market work for nurses happened in mid-2023 and that the department is "a little below the private sector" anecdotally, but deferred detailed compensation questions to the compensation office.
Alderman Cox asked whether exit interviews had been done; staff said exit-interview data exist but it was not available at the table and that the committee would be provided the information. Members also raised concerns about how vacancies have affected clients and services. Committee members said they had seen social-media reports of reduced hours at the STI clinic.
To collect a fuller picture, Chair Marina Dimitrijevich asked that the committee receive a formal communication from Commissioner Todoraitis describing the state of affairs, including how services are affected, the department's plan to fill vacancies, and any interim measures being used to restore clinic hours. The request for that written communication was made on the record and assigned to the committee clerk.
No formal ordinance or budget action was adopted at the meeting on the nursing vacancies; the discussion was part of the broader vacancy requests on the committee's agenda.
