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: 290

55% 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 communities290 graduates; 81 Currently attending UNMC; 107

still in pipeline55% 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 selectionFrom 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 CoordinatorRural Health Education Network Nebraska AHEC Program Office Phone: (402) 559-3398E-mail: akraft@unmc.edu