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Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program

Grantor:

Department of Health Care Access and Information

Portal ID:

2949

Status:

Closed (82 total applications submitted)

Opportunity Type:

• Loan

Last Updated:

January 6, 2025, 11:42 am  |  View change notes

Categories:

• Disadvantaged Communities
• Health & Human Services

Details

Purpose:

STLRP was established in 2003 to increase access to healthcare and promote the retention of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas (MUAs) of California. The program is counseled by an advisory committee of seven members, with two members appointed by the California Medical Association. Physicians and surgeons can receive up to $105,000 in exchange for providing direct patient care in a MUA for a minimum of three years. 

Description:

Since its inception, STLRP has received more than 1,228 applications. The program has awarded more than $47 million and monitored the progress of 538 physicians providing direct patient care in 47 of California’s 58 counties. Consistent with the intent of the program, 80 percent of the total recipients are certified in a primary care specialty. 

The program repays up to $105,000 in educational loans in exchange for full-time service for a minimum of three (3) years. Applicants can be awarded up to two (2) times.

Awardees must be practicing outpatient care.  At least 90% of direct patient care hours must be spent working in an outpatient setting, not a hospital.  Exception: Emergency Room Physicians providing care to patients not admitted to the hospital.  Commit to providing full-time medical services in a HPSA-PC or PCSA for a minimum of three (3) years.  Full-time is defined as a minimum of 40 hours worked per week with at least 32 of those hours spent providing direct patient care on an outpatient basis.  Exception: For physicians engaged in the practice of obstetrics, full-time is defined as a minimum of 40 hours worked per week with at least 21 of those hours spent providing direct patient care on an outpatient basis

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

• Individual

Be an allopathic or osteopathic physician or surgeon Be free of any contractual service obligations Have outstanding educational debt from a government or commercial lending institution Have a valid, unrestricted MD or DO license to practice medicine in California Be practicing outpatient care.  Commit to providing full-time medical services in a HPSA-PC or PCSA for a minimum of three (3) years.

Eligible Geographies:

Medically Underserved Area (MUA), Medically Underserved Population (MUP), Health Professional Shortage Area- Primary Care (HPSA-PC), or Primary Care Shortage Area (PCSA).  In addition to the Federal and CA state designations, any State, County, Veteran, or Correctional Facility qualifies as well as Native Indian Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers.