HRSA eNews: September 2025

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September 25, 2025

HHS to Close University of Miami's Failing Organ Agency

On Sept. 18, HHS announced it is moving to decertify a major organ procurement organization (OPO) after an investigation uncovered years of unsafe practices, poor training, chronic underperformance, understaffing, and paperwork errors. In one 2024 case, a mistake led a surgeon to decline a donated heart for a patient awaiting transplant surgery.

Read the press release to learn more.


Update: HRSA's Transition to GrantSolutions Management System

As previously shared, HRSA is moving to the GrantSolutions Grants Management Module. We have decided to make this change in phases to allow additional time for testing and a smooth transition.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • No changes for awards already in GrantSolutions: If your award is already in GrantSolutions, it will stay there.
  • Gradual move for other programs: All other active programs will be transitioned step-by-step starting now and throughout calendar year 2026. You’ll get advance notice before your program moves.
  • Keep using EHBs for now: Until your program moves to GrantSolutions, please continue submitting prior approval requests and other grant activities through the EHBs.
  • New accounts in GrantSolutions: When your program moves, your grant recipient account will be set up in GrantSolutions.
  • Training and updates provided: HRSA will provide training and share updates as the transition dates are scheduled.

If you have questions, please email GSQuestions@hrsa.gov.


HRSA Administrator Tours Health Centers, Speaks at National Conferences

Mercy Care Visit

HRSA Administrator Tom Engels is committed to visiting grantees, meeting with community members and seeing the impact of HRSA programs first-hand. This month, he toured HRSA-funded health centers across the country to learn about the vital work they’re doing to deliver accessible, high-quality care to underserved and vulnerable communities. He also spoke at multiple national conferences, highlighting HRSA and Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities and exploring opportunities to strengthen partnerships between HRSA and local, state, Tribal and community leaders.

Highlights from his engagements include:

Tom @ Crescent Dental
  • Crescent Community Health Center: Touring Crescent Community Health Center’s pediatric dental clinic and new community wellness center in Dubuque, Iowa.
  • Mercy Care: Visiting Mercy Care in Atlanta to learn how their whole-person care model is improving patient health outcomes. Administrator Engels also presented the health center with three Community Health Quality Recognition Badges for their leadership in providing quality care and achievements in advancing health IT and improving health care access. Administrator Engels ended his trip with a visit to the Atlanta regional office to meet with HRSA staff and participate in a roundtable discussion.
  • National Academy for State Health Policy: Participating in a fireside chat at the National Academy for State Health Policy Annual State Health Policy Conference in San Diego, Calif. to discuss HRSA’s primary care focus, strengthening the health workforce, improving maternal health and how HRSA and state health leaders can work together to advance the MAHA mission.
  • Emory University Hospital: Visiting Emory University Hospital in Atlanta with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to learn about innovative telehealth services the hospital offers its community during Telehealth Awareness Week.  

Visit the Recent HRSA Administrator Events webpage to learn more about Administrator Engels’ events and speaking engagements.  


HRSA Participates in Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee

HRSA Administrator Tom Engels attended the HHS Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting Sept. 23-25. Held on the traditional homelands of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in Aquinnah, Mass., the gathering brought together Tribal delegates and HHS leadership to strengthen government-to-government collaboration on health priorities. During the meeting, Administrator Engels highlighted MAHA priorities and HRSA’s commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing of Tribal communities.


New HHS Study Finds Home Visiting Services Improve Family Wellbeing

MIHOPE Press Release Photo

HHS, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and HRSA, released new findings from the Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation (MIHOPE) study. The MIHOPE study highlights the long-term benefits to children and families participating in federally funded, evidence-based home visiting services through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program

The results show that direct interactions between home visitors and families had statistically significant, long-term positive effects on maternal and family wellbeing outcomes by the time children reached kindergarten. The positive outcomes included:

  • improvements in families’ economic circumstances
  • reduced family conflict and violence,
  • better maternal mental and behavioral health, and
  • strengthened parent-child interactions.

Read the press release to learn more.


Accepting Applications: NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program

Doctor Group Photo

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program provides up to $120,000 in loan repayment funds to students in their final year of school who are studying to become a physician, dentist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife.

An additional $40,000 Maternity Care Target Area Supplemental Award is available to eligible physicians and certified nurse midwives. Designated Maternity Care Target Areas are within existing health professional shortage areas that are experiencing a significant shortage of maternity health care professionals.

In exchange for loan repayment, participants must commit to three years of primary care services at approved sites in high-need areas. 

The application deadline is Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Learn more about the program and how to apply.


New Funding Opportunity: State Loan Repayment Program

Dentist Photo

The State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides cost-sharing grants to states and territories to operate their own loan repayment programs for primary medical, mental/behavioral health and oral health providers.  

States and territories that have previously received State Loan Repayment Program funding and wish to apply again must reapply under this new award cycle. New states and territories are also encouraged to apply. HRSA will award $20 million to up to 50 grantees over a three-year period.

The application deadline is Jan. 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Learn more about how to apply.


Association of State and Territorial Health Officials: Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT)

The Rural Health Transformation Program was established to provide an opportunity for states to invest in prevention, innovative care delivery and workforce initiatives to improve the health of rural residents. Created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the program will provide $50 billion over 5 years (2026–2030) through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to eligible states.

Read the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials blog post, Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program, to learn about program requirements and the application process.


Telehealth for Nutrition Care and Services

Telehealth Photo

During Telehealth Awareness Week (Sept. 14-20), HRSA released new resources to support tele-nutrition services. Tele-nutrition enables providers to deliver personalized nutrition care to patients using innovative telehealth technologies.

Share this tip sheet highlighting how telehealth helps people of all ages get nutrition care and services from home.


HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

Hiv/AIDS Photo

On Sept.18, HRSA recognized National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. The day recognized the growing population of people with HIV aged 50 years and older and the unique needs and challenges they face as they age.   

In 2023, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) served more than 274,000 clients aged 50 years and older, representing 47.7% of all RWHAP clients, a significant increase from 31.6% in 2010. The demographic shift in the RWHAP client population reflects the success of HIV treatment and the importance of adapting services to meet the complex needs of an aging population.

HRSA remains committed to building on the strong foundation of the RWHAP to ensure it continues to meet the needs of all eligible clients, across all stages of life.

Learn more about HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.


image of a calendar

September Health Observances

  • National Literacy Month
  • National Suicide Prevention Month
  • National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
  • Telehealth Awareness Week (14-20)
  • National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (18)
  • World Alzheimer’s Day (21)