ISMA is now an organization-level member of the Indiana Rural Health Association. While the IRHA is not a physician organization, their activities do support rural based hospitals and health care clinicians, which impact ISMA members based in rural communities.
“I believe there are some strategically aligned efforts that will benefit our members and our support of issues important to our members,” ISMA EVP Clif Knight, MD, said.
The Indiana Rural Health Association is a nonprofit organization developed in 1997 for the purpose of improving the health of Hoosiers living in rural areas. Their members have intrinsic strengths important to the task of providing meaningful forums. These forums provide opportunities for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the health care systems; identifying needs and problems within rural settings; and assessing and developing leadership resources.
Opportunities for stipends in rural health noted
The Indiana Department of Health is moving into year two of the Rural Health Transformation Program. Opportunities specifically for clinicians through the Rural Health Transformation Program exist. There is up to $300,000 in stipends for new physicians who commit to five years of working in a rural area. Physicians can receive up to $10,000 per year to precept medical students and residents in rural communities. There is also funding to support GME expansion in rural communities.