Rural Health Opportunities Program RHOP

What is RHOP? Its beginnings “ Grow Our Own”  To recruit rural Nebraska students into the health professions  Support programs to recruit them back to rural Nebraska communities

Student Data Number of graduates: % in rural Nebraska 15% in rural across the U.S. 70% Rural!

Partnership Wayne State College University of Nebraska Medical Center Chadron State College

479 RHOP participants from 202 communities 290 graduates; 81 Currently attending UNMC; 107 still in pipeline 55% graduates employed in rural Nebraska This information is current as of: July 2006

RHOP Professions CSC & WSC  Medicine  Pharmacy  Dentistry  Dental Hygiene  Clinical Laboratory Science

RHOP Professions cont … Also at CSC  Physician Assistant  Physical Therapy  Radiography  Nursing

Commitment “Return to rural Nebraska” Rural communities outside of Omaha, Lincoln, & South Sioux Areas

Medicine (MD) Years of study  4 undergraduate  4 years at UNMC  3 or more years residency Positions accepted  3 at Chadron  3 at Wayne Accepted medical fields  Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/Gynecology, General Surgery, and Psychiatry

Pharmacy (PharmD) Years of study  2 years undergraduate  4 years at UNMC Positions accepted  3 at Chadron  3 at Wayne

Dentistry (DDS) Years of study  3 years undergraduate  4 years at UNMC, Lincoln Positions accepted  3 at Chadron  3 at Wayne

Dental Hygiene (BS) Years of study  2 years undergraduate  2 years at UNMC, Lincoln or Scottsbluff Positions accepted  1 at Chadron  2 at Wayne

Clinical Laboratory Science (BS) Years of study  3 years undergraduate  1 year at UNMC  Rural sites are available Positions accepted  4 at Chadron  2 at Wayne

Financial Incentives Tuition waiver for medicine & dentistry only at CSC & WSC Eligible for waiver through the State College Board of Trustees

Financial Incentives cont.. Many RHOP students qualify for Rural Health Advisory Commission Loan or Loan Forgiveness Strict definitions of underserved to qualify for loan repayment regulations

Chadron State College Only

Physician Assistant (MPAS) Years of study  4 years undergraduate  28 months at UNMC Positions accepted  4 positions per year

Physical Therapy (DPT) Years of study  3 years undergraduate  3 years at UNMC Positions accepted  4 positions per year

Radiography (BS) Years of study  2 years undergraduate  2 years at UNMC Positions accepted  2 positions per year

Nursing (BS) Years of study  1 ½ years undergraduate  2 ½ years at UNMC Positions accepted  2 positions per year at the Scottsbluff campus

How do I apply? Request an application for admission from WSC or CSC Also request an RHOP application to be completed and returned with admission application May apply only to ONE college

How do I apply? cont … May apply to only ONE pre- professional field Once accepted cannot change fields and stay in RHOP Applications are due by December 1 for the next academic year

Criteria used for selection From a rural Nebraska community Well rounded student ACT/SAT scores Grade point averages (especially science) Essay  Interest in rural; connecting to rural Experience/Knowledge of health care  Shadowing  Volunteer work

How many are interviewed? About twice the number of positions available Who interviews Students notified before March 1 Alternate status – must enroll at selected undergrad institution

What’s my commitment? To rural Nebraska Your decision will determine the success of the program

Questions Ann Kraft, Program Coordinator Rural Health Education Network Nebraska AHEC Program Office Phone: (402)