Workforce Development
Below are various programs and resources for healthcare professional recruitment, loan repayment programs, and scholarships.
Provider Recruitment
Wyoming Health Resources Network – Wyoming’s 3RNet member. Acts as a referral service for matching physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, locum tenens, and mental health professionals who are looking for a position in Wyoming with appropriate vacancies throughout the state.
Wyoming Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program – provides a waiver of the two year home country residency requirement for international medical graduates who are in the U.S. under a J-1 Visa for additional training/education in exchange for providing medical care in a designated shortage area. The Office of Rural Health may support up to 30 waivers per year (October 1 – September 30) and only 10 may be used towards physicians practicing a non-primary care specialty or practicing in an area not designated as a federal Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Additional information can be found online at the Rural Health Information Hub website and the U.S. Department of State website. Click here to view the Wyoming Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Guidelines and Application.
Loan Repayment Programs
National Health Service Corps – This federal program provides educational loan repayment assistance in return for working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA).
NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program – The NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program (formerly the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program or NELRP) is a competitive program that repays 60 percent of the qualifying loan balance of registered nurses (including advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing faculty) selected for funding in exchange for 2 years of service at a critical shortage facility. Participants may be eligible to work a third year and receive an additional 25 percent of the qualifying loan balance.
Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employees – This program will pay off remaining educational debt from eligible federal student loans after 10 years of payments for a multitude of public service professions.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program – The Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program (IHSLRP) offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to lighten qualified student loan debts and help IHS meet the staffing needs of Indian health programs. It is open to health professionals who will commit to working in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities for a minimum two-year service obligation.
Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP) – FLRP is a federal program which provides financial incentive for degree-trained health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue academic careers. Selected applicants must agree to serve on the faculty of an accredited health professions school for a minimum of two years. In return, the program will pay up to $40,000 of the participant’s student loans as well as provide funds to offset the tax burden. Selected applicants must also receive matching funds from the employing educational institution.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Program – This program aims to attract health professionals to careers in clinical, pediatric, health disparity, or contraceptive and infertility research.
USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program – The VMLRP is designed to help retire a significant amount of the qualifying educational debt (up to $25,000 per year for 3 or 4 years of service in the VMLRP) incurred consequent to pursuit of a DVM or equivalent degree at an accredited U.S. college of veterinary medicine. In addition, NIFA will pay up to 39 percent of the total amount of the loan repayments made in a calendar year to reimburse program participants for the tax liability incurred as a result of their participation in VMLRP.
Wyoming Veterinary Loan Repayment Program – Contact the Wyoming Livestock Board at (307) 777-7515 for additional information.
Hospital Foundation Scholarship Programs
Some hospitals offer scholarships in hard to fill medical professions in exchange for working in that hospital after graduation. Check with the various hospitals in your area.
Professional Organizations
Many national and state professional organizations offer scholarships for education in their professions. Check the professional organization websites for specific details on what each organization may offer.
Rural Health Information Hub Scholarships, Loans, and Loan Repayment – Information and resource website for many different programs.
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program – The Indian Health Service Scholarship Program offers American Indian/Alaska Native students three different scholarship options.