Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) Awarded a $750,000 Federal Grant

By: Sharjeel Sohaib

• 

Sep 25, 2023

 • 

Utilize Our Platform

  • Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) will tackle rural healthcare shortages with a $750,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • LLUH’s grant will establish a rural residency program for Family Medicine physicians, initially deploying six physicians to Health Professional Shortage Areas in Barstow and Blythe.
  • LLUH will partner with SAC Health, Barstow Community Hospital, Palo Verde Hospital, and the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) to provide healthcare access to underserved rural communities.

Loma Linda, CA – Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) has recently secured a substantial $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, marking a significant stride in its mission to improve healthcare access in rural areas. The grant is earmarked for developing a pioneering rural residency program designed explicitly for Family Medicine physicians. This exciting initiative addresses the pressing shortage of healthcare professionals in underserved regions.

Answering the Call: Physician Shortage in Health Professional Shortage Areas

In response to the urgent need for medical professionals in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, LLUH’s rural residency program will dispatch resident physicians to the towns of Barstow and Blythe. These towns are emblematic of the healthcare disparity that plagues rural America, as they have long grappled with inadequate access to maternal health services.

Building Sustainable Solutions

The program aims to enhance healthcare delivery in rural regions by creating sustainable rural residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). By doing so, LLUH aims to fortify the pipeline of physicians willing to serve these communities. With an initial cohort of six physicians, the program is projected to be fully operational within three years, offering a glimmer of hope for these medically underserved regions.

A Vital Response to a Growing Crisis

Retaining and recruiting physicians in rural areas has become an increasingly critical concern, magnified by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have consistently shown that the presence of residency training programs in rural settings can be a game-changer. By enrolling trainees with rural backgrounds and fostering their development in rural settings, the likelihood of these graduates choosing to practice in such communities significantly increases.

Dr. Kevin Shannon, an associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and a key figure in the rural residency program, shared his optimism. Drawing from his experience in the Northeastern United States, where rural training successfully boosted the physician workforce in underserved areas, he anticipates a similar positive outcome in rural California.

Addressing the Disparities

The glaring disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban communities are a growing concern. Rural residents experience higher rates of chronic conditions, preventable hospitalizations, and significant barriers to timely healthcare. Research has consistently demonstrated that increasing the density of primary care physicians and enhancing access to high-quality primary care services can reduce hospitalization rates and improve health outcomes.

A Collective Effort for a Common Goal

This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without a collective effort. LLUH partnered with SAC Health, the Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium, Barstow Community Hospital, Palo Verde Hospital, and the Inland Empire Health Plan to secure this vital grant. This collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to addressing rural communities’ healthcare disparities.

Loma Linda University Health’s $750,000 federal grant for a rural residency program is a beacon of hope for underserved areas in California. By nurturing a new generation of physicians passionate about rural healthcare, LLUH is taking concrete steps to bridge the healthcare divide that has persisted for far too long.

As the program unfolds over the next few years, the impact on these communities is expected to be transformative, offering better healthcare access, improved health outcomes, and a brighter future for rural residents.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Connecting you with the best startups, people & events in the Inland Empire.

Support Startup News & Media!


Enjoying the startup news & media? Support us!

We have big plans, and we need your help!

Startempire Wire is a community of people working together to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the Inland Empire. We provide resources and connect people with the startup culture.

We believe that the Inland Empire has all of the ingredients for success. This region just needs a platform to show the world what it can do – And this is exactly what Startempirewire.com is doing. Our goal is to act as a megaphone to connect the dots between the best startups, events, and people in the Inland Empire.

We have big plans, and we need your help! If you are passionate about creating a thriving local startup ecosystem, then we would like to invite you to join in contributing to the community by supporting us. You can do that by supporting us financially or by being an active contributor. In return, we will give you (depending on sponsorship level) free access to our content, other level based perks &  the opportunity to connect with a network of passionate people working to build a better future for all of us.

We cover the good and the bad of entrepreneurship, startups & business events; we do it with passion and purpose. If you like what we do, support us & please consider becoming a patron. Your support is essential for independent local startup media to survive & thrive.

You can make a regular one time donation to become a sponsor at any level, or you can choose to become a monthly or event sponsor.  Every little bit counts! Thank You

Verious B. Smith III

Founder, Startempire Wire

Related Articles

OASIS Challenge: Showcasing Innovation in Sustainability

OASIS Challenge: Showcasing Innovation in Sustainability

RIVERSIDE, CA – The Southern California OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Finals, a much-anticipated event in the sustainability sector, is set to take place, spotlighting six innovative Inland Empire companies. These finalists, vying for $100,000 in grants and invaluable...

Stay Up On Startempire News

Access Premium Content

Startempire Wire premium content access is free during the beta period of our  website.  Join during beta and get a grandfathered discount when we launch.

$5 for first month then $15 per month

Get Every Update

Would you like to receive Startempire Wire updates in your inbox? Subscribe below!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

Follow Startempire Wire on other social media channels.

0
My cart
Your cart is empty.

Looks like you haven't made a choice yet.