Elon PA students named National Health Service Corp Scholars will provide care for at least two years in health provider shortage areas.
Each year, the competitive process for the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) Scholarship Program opens to current physician assistant students in programs that prepare graduates for primary care. This US Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) funded scholarship program offers payment of tuition and fees and a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses while pursuing a health professions degree.
In return for the scholarship and stipend, graduates commit to a minimum of two years of service in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). A HPSA can be a geographic area, population, or facility that has a deficit of primary care, dental care, or mental health care providers. Examples include federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), Indian health services and tribal hospitals, correctional facilities, state/county mental hospitals, rural health centers, and more. These centers provide access to healthcare and the interprofessional nature of their work addresses social determinants of health to promote positive health outcomes.
Currently, Elon PA cohorts include six NHSC Scholars. From the Class of 2022, these include Sarah Akihary, Morgan Darrow, and Emily Griffith. From the Class of 2023, Benjamin Carrion, Lauren Dyke, and Olivia Mitchell. The 2022 graduates are currently seeking their first positions within the health professions shortage areas in NC and beyond, fulfilling the Elon PA mission of caring, serving, and leading.