USA Health Physician Secures Dollar 16 Million: USA Health family medicine physician, Dr. Allen Perkins, has secured a significant $16 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant aims to address the shortage of primary care physicians in states projected to face the most significant shortages over the next two years.
Dr. Perkins, who serves as USA Healths chief ambulatory medical officer and population health officer, will utilize the grant to enhance healthcare access in underserved communities through the Primary Care Pathway Program. This four-year program prepares medical students for careers in primary care, specifically focusing on serving patients in rural and underserved areas.
The program includes a post-baccalaureate component designed to assist students from underserved communities in preparing for the challenges of medical school. The grant will also facilitate the hiring of an epidemiologist and biostatistician by the Whiddon College of Medicine.
Dr. Perkins highlighted the program’s impact, stating, The students have now been in the communities for four years and are beginning to identify resource needs unique to each of the areas.
Expanding the Primary Care Pathway Program, the latest training model involves collaboration with the Covey College of Allied Health Professions, USA Health Department of Family Medicine, and the USA Center for Healthy Communities. The initiative aims to recruit and enroll up to 40 students from underrepresented groups interested in pursuing primary care.
The ultimate goal is to address healthcare disparities by supporting these students through medical school and guiding them to return to rural communities after completing residency training.
Owen Bailey, CEO for USA Health, expressed optimism about the transformative impact of the project on medical education and healthcare delivery in rural communities served by the academic health system.
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