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September 2021
Update Index
 1 more week to nominate your rural health heroes!
Nominations are due through Friday, October 1.
Download the 2021 Minnesota Rural Health Awards Nomination Form (PDF).
Awards will be announced on National Rural Health Day 11/18
Questions? Contact: maria.rogness@state.mn.us
National Rural Health Day, Nov 18
Download tools & resources from: powerofrural.org
This year, we'd like to hear from those of you out in Greater Minnesota what this last year was like in terms of health issues in your community: send us a brief note about a success, a challenge, or a message you wish to offer up for NRHD. We would like to create a mosaic of observations from around the state. Only regions will be identified (e.g., NE, SE, etc.) Send your feedback by Oct 31 to: maria.rogness@state.mn.us
MDH Press Release: Recommendations on Strengthening Mental Health
A recent MDH press release announces the Recommendations on Strengthening Mental Health (PDF) report written and presented to the Commissioner of Health by the ORHPC Rural Health Advisory Committee (RHAC). In May 2019, RHAC formed a workgroup to assess mental health care in rural Minnesota. The work group convened six times from 2019 to 2020 and hosted three regional listening sessions to learn from rural communities in different parts of the state. The report makes recommendations across four categories:
- Increasing awareness of mental health needs and resources.
- Increasing access to services and supports.
- Strengthening the rural mental health care system.
- Supporting collaboration among stakeholders.
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Open: IMG Career Guidance and Support Grant
The IMG Career Guidance and Support program serves as an entry point for IMGs in Minnesota to participate in programming that helps them become ready for health care career opportunities. The program serves to provide IMGs support in addressing barriers to residency and medical practice, and to assist IMGs in preparing for careers in the health care field using their medical background.
Up to $275,000 is available to fund an organization for 24 months to implement initiatives, which assist IMGs with career guidance and support in the recertification process.
Download the Request for Proposal (RFP). Applications must be submitted online through the MDH Grants Portal website no later than October 15, 2021, 11:59 pm CST. For more information about this opportunity, contact: MN_health.IMG@state.mn.us
Open: Rural Family Medicine Residency Grant Program
Minnesota Statutes Section 8.144.1912 authorizes the Commissioner of Health to award grants to support rural Family Medicine Residency programs. The grant program assists Family Medicine Residency programs outside the 7–county metropolitan area by funding costs associated with training eligible residents. Applications are due October 20, 11:59 p.m. CT. Applications must be submitted online through the MDH Grants Portal website. For more information, contact: paia.vang@state.mn.us, 651–201–3856.
New this year: IMG Short-Term Clinical Experience Grant
The IMG Program is offering short-term clinical opportunities of 30 to 90 days to supplement the BRIIDGE program, increasing the number of IIMGs who can access needed US clinical experience, build their direct knowledge of the US healthcare system and strengthen their residency applications. The rigorous short–term clinical opportunities program will allow IIMGs with the need to strengthen their clinical skills in specific areas and improve their ability to demonstrate their skills with meaningful assessments that residency directors can rely on.
Up to $75,000 is available this year for this short–term clinical opportunity. Download the Request for Proposal (RFP). Applications must be submitted online through the MDH Grants Portal website no later than November 8, 2021, 4:30 pm CST. For more information about this opportunity, contact: yende.anderson@state.mn.us, 651-201-5988
Open: IMG Primary Care Residency Grant
The IMG Primary Care Residency Program authorizes the Commissioner of Health to award grants to eligible grantees to support residency positions for Minnesota IIMGs. The goal of this program is provide funding for up to two residency positions. Applicants eligible for residency support include Minnesota programs, sponsors or potential sponsors of primary care residency program to support a dedicated IMG residency position.
Up to $100,000 is available per year, to fund residency positions for up to four years. A program may apply for less than $100,000 per residency position per year, and successful applicants may be awarded less than their request. Download the Request for Proposal (RFP). Applications must be submitted online through the MDH Grants Portal website no later than November 8, 2021, 4:30 pm CST. For more information about this opportunity, contact: yende.anderson@state.mn.us, 651-201-5988
Open: J-1 Visa Waiver Program
The Minnesota J–1 Visa Waiver Program is a way to address the shortage of physicians in rural and urban areas. Due to the difficulties some areas experience recruiting and retaining physicians, many communities turn to International Medical Graduates (IMG) and J–1 Visa Waivers to fill their physician vacancies. The program allows for 30 waiver spots per Federal Fiscal Year (October 1–September 30), 10 of which are considered flex spots for physicians who agree to work in non–designated areas, yet still serve residents in underserved areas. J–1 visa waiver requests are accepted annually in the fall. Applications are due November 30, 4:30 p.m. CT. For more information, contact: paia.vang@state.mn.us, 651–201–3856.
Reminder: MERC
The Medical Education & Research Cost (MERC) Grant Program is accepting grant applications for clinical training that took place in Minnesota in fiscal year 2020. Minnesota sponsoring institutions, accredited teaching programs and clinical training site representatives must complete applications through the online portal outlined in the grant instructions. Application materials and deadlines can be found on the MERC website. Applications are due Monday, September 30. Questions regarding this grant may be emailed to: health.merc@state.mn.us
Reminder: Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program
The Minnesota's State Loan Repayment Program (MN SLRP) is now open and accepting applications through Friday, October 15, 11:59 p.m. The purpose of the program is to improve access to primary care by assisting underserved communities with recruitment and retention of primary care providers. For more information contact: health.loanforgiveness@state.mn.us
Reminder: Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness Program
Due to increased funding, the Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness Program is now open and accepting applications early for the following eligible professions through November 22:
Please note that Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC) are now included as Urban/Rural Mental Health Professionals.
ALL eligible professions may apply for the Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness during its regular program cycle beginning November 1 through January 7. For more information, contact health.loanforgiveness@state.mn.us
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HHS and USDA launch resource guide for child care in rural areas
Yesterday, the U.S Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health & Human Services (HHS) released a new federal guide to strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities. The USDA-RD HHS-ACF Joint Facilities Resource Guide (PDF) includes best practices, innovative approaches, success stories and a list of federal resources available. The Administration of Children and Families (ACF) is the HHS agency administering federal programs for child care; Rural Development (RD) at the USDA focuses on improving the economy and quality of life in rural America.
HRSA Releases New Projections for the Health Workforce
According to data collected by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA), the supply of primary care physicians in the U.S. will see a shortage by the year 2030; a surplus of nurse practitioners and physician assistants is projected for the same time span. The forecast shows the largest shortages in Nevada, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arizona. The NCHWA is part of the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) at the Health Resources and Services Administration. Last week, BHW announced funding for a new federal program to increase the number of physician assistants in rural areas. Accredited training programs that can demonstrate a high rate of rural placement for graduates may apply for the HRSA Physician Assistant Rural Training Program through December 9.
Customizable COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Rural Communities
Easy access to customizable communication templates that include print ads, poster, brochure, social media posts, and an online resource guide.
Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019
The Rural Health Information Hub has a compendium of rural-specific activities and guidelines, including Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness, a tool with resources for responding to a local surge in cases.
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