R.I. DOH announces awards to strengthen health care workforce, address health disparities

Elizabeth Roberts, secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said partnerships between federal and state government, community organizations, and employers and health professionals are helping draw talent to Rhode Island. / COURTESY THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Elizabeth Roberts, secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said partnerships between federal and state government, community organizations, and employers and health professionals are helping draw talent to Rhode Island. / COURTESY THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Health and the Health Professionals Loan Repayment Board recently announced that more than $823,000 was issued in loan repayment awards. These funds are designed to strengthen the health care workforce and narrow health disparities by expanding the number of providers serving traditionally medically underserved communities.

The awards went to 24 health care professionals, including physicians, dentists, nurses and mental and behavioral health care providers. In consideration of receiving these loan repayment awards, recipients commit to practicing in Rhode Island’s underserved communities for a minimum of two years.

“The Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program is one of many innovative ways that we are expanding opportunity and bringing top-tier talent to Rhode Island,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a DOH statement. “The health care industry is vital to the health of our overall economy. We need to continue making our state as attractive as possible for providers entering the workforce.”

“Health and medical education can be expensive. This program helps remove barriers that may keep talented, motivated people from entering this field,” Elizabeth Roberts, secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said in the statement. “Innovative partnerships between federal and state government, community partners and employers and health professionals are helping us draw the best and brightest workforce to Rhode Island.”

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Funding for the program comes from the federal government and various health and community organizations. The Rhode Island Health Center Association solicited matching funds from many of the participating organizations: the Rhode Island Foundation ($200,000), Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island ($50,000), the Rhode Island Health Center Association ($50,000), Delta Dental of Rhode Island ($50,000), Landmark Hospital ($50,000), and CharterCARE ($50,000), Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island ($30,000) and UnitedHealthcare Rhode Island ($25,000). Health care professionals who received loan repayments are employed at Thundermist Health Center (nine employees), Providence Community Health Center (five employees), Blackstone Valley Community Health Center (four employees), Providence VA Medical Center (two employees) and one employee from each of these health care providers: Comprehensive Community Health Center, the Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care Clinic, WellOne Primary Medical and Dental and Wood River Health Services.

“The recruitment and retention of health professionals is a critical need in order to have the necessary workforce to provide comprehensive medical services to Rhode Islanders, particularly in communities where access to care can be challenging. The loan repayment program is a critical tool necessary to help ensure an adequate supply of professionals,” Jane A. Hayward, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association, said in a statement.

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