Frustrated by recruitment schemes that haven't reduced the shortage of health professionals in the area, the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization is adopting a new strategy: creating a work force of locals.

The agency wants to connect with locals doing internships and residencies as well as high school students interested in medicine and offer them incentives to work at facilities within a 40-mile radius of Fort Drum. Those incentives include housing payments and travel reimbursements for interns and residents and stipends for high school students.

The program also would create an online database where more than 50 facilities could post training opportunities for local students, who could request placement through the site.

Denise K. Young, the organization's executive director, said the three-year project could result in 60 students and residents being placed at local facilities; an additional 72 students, interns, residents and faculty being provided lodging for training offered at local facilities; and opportunities for 45 high school students to shadow health-care professionals.

The agency's hope is that the experience will convince local residents to stay in the area, thereby erasing the shortage.

Mrs. Young pitched the project to the Jefferson County Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee before asking lawmakers to partner in the initiative. The committee recommended that the county commit $150,000, in $50,000 installments, to the project.

The Finance and Rules Committee will consider the proposal Tuesday, with the full board expected to decide its fate June 3. If approved, the first $50,000 would be included in the 2009 budget.

"This initiative will help bring doctors into our county; I will support this," said Legislature Chairman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River.

Legislators James A. Nabywaniec, R-Calcium, Michael W. Behling, R-Adams Center, and Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick, R-Watertown, also voiced support for the measure. Mr. Nabywaniec chairs the health committee.

Mrs. Young said her agency also will commit $150,000 to the initiative and said the state has promised $93,000. Funding also is being sought from the Northern New York Community Foundation, she said.

In other news, the committee congratulated Vonnice L. Joels, a medical investigator with the county Medical Examiner's Office, for making the honor roll of the state Department of Health's Public Health Works! program.

Mrs. Joels, a Public Health Service employee since January 2003, was nominated by her department for exemplifying five qualities: dedication, integrity, professionalism, teamwork and respective for diverse values and cultures and underserved populations.