Grand Canyon Times

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has awarded over $11 million to 15 organizations to establish new residency programs in rural communities. The announcement was made by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden during a visit to a rural health clinic in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

"Every American should have access to high-quality health care no matter where they live. That is why HHS is investing in programs that improve and expand access in geographic areas that have historically been underserved," said Becerra. "Training more doctors in our country's rural areas is a proven strategy to recruit and retain doctors to serve rural communities. By funding new residency programs focused on OB-GYN training, we can help eliminate maternal care deserts, an important step in making pregnancy and childbirth safer."

Carole Johnson, HRSA Administrator, emphasized the need for physicians in rural communities: "Rural communities need physicians, and the Health Resources and Services Administration is committed to helping build this workforce through steps like our work to create rural residency programs. This funding will help build pathways for rural students to become doctors and help rural communities recruit and train more doctors. We are particularly pleased to support new programs aimed at training new physicians to care for pregnant women."

The Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized retaining and recruiting physicians in underserved and rural areas. These awards add to nearly $54 million that HRSA has invested in the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program (RRPD) since 2019. Previous RRPD awards have resulted in 46 accredited rural residency programs, approved to train 575 resident physicians overall. In the 2024 Residency Match, RRPD-created residency programs matched 158 new residents who will begin their training this summer.

Today's award recipients will each receive up to $750,000 over three years for establishing new rural residency programs. The funding will cover accreditation costs, curriculum development, faculty recruitment and retention, resident recruitment activities, and consultation services for program development. Many awardees will implement a Rural Track Program, providing residents with experience in rural settings and increasing access to healthcare in these areas.

HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy coordinates activities related to rural healthcare within HHS and provides grant funding at state and local levels to increase access to high-quality healthcare.

For more information about the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program or HRSA’s rural health grants and programs, visit their official website.