The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is now accepting applications for Graduate Medical Education (GME), Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) and Allied Health Professional (AHP) training grants—funding available as a result of Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA)-proposed “Grow Your Own” solutions to the state’s health care workforce shortage.
DHS Workforce grants are aimed at helping hospitals and health systems seeking to expand training opportunities in rural areas and high-demand occupations and draw upon WHA’s “86% equation,” which shows that Wisconsin students who attend medical school here and fulfill a residency here have an 86% chance of staying in the state to practice. As of December 2018, 91% of Wisconsin Academy of Rural Medicine graduates practice in Wisconsin.
APC grants expand clinical training opportunities for physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses in rural Wisconsin in order to increase access to health care in rural areas. The APC grant period is one year, with a maximum grant amount of $50,000.
AHP grants expand education and training opportunities for individuals in high-need, high-demand allied health occupations in order to support rural hospitals and clinics in meeting the need for qualified professionals. Grants are for one or two years, with a maximum grant amount of $125,000 per year.
GME development grants assist rural hospitals and groups of rural hospitals in developing accredited GME programs in a range of medical specialties needed in rural communities. Grants may also be used to establish new fellowship programs or to develop rural tracks. The maximum total amount is $750,000 for up to three years.
Information on each of these grants will be available on the
DHS website on March 1. Applications for APC and AHP grants are due May 7. Applications for GME grants are due April 16.
WHA members are encouraged to access these state resources made available by WHA-backed legislation, effectively implemented by DHS and successfully utilized by hospitals and health systems across the state. WHA Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice
Ann Zenk is available to answer questions and support your application process.