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Removing financial barriers
to a career in primary care
 

It is no secret that rising medical tuition has been a major obstacle for
recruiting into primary care careers, driving more and more medical
students to choose more lucrative specialty careers. In 2012, OU-HCOM graduates averaged $158,418 in educational loan debts, not counting undergraduate or other graduate program debt. Not only does this
financial burden lead many students away from primary care specialties,
but it also deters individuals from practicing in underserved communities.

Scholarships, loan repayment opportunities, and other incentive programs
were identified as important means to make careers in primary care more accessible. The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation’s gift provides $13 million towards scholarships that will support individuals with a commitment to
primary care. Other scholarships and loan repayment opportunities are
being developed with key partners.

One such scholarship is the newly established John A. Brose, D.O., Primary Care Scholarship. This $30,000 annual award will be given to a student from central or southeastern regions of Ohio who demonstrates a commitment to primary care and leadership in medicine.

The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation’s gift includes fourteen $15,000
Primary Care Incentive Scholarships. The scholarships will be given annually to Ohio residents who are fourth year medical students making a commitment
to a primary care residency program in Ohio. The first 12 were awarded to
Class of 2012 graduates. Additionally, there are now eight $10,000 Central
Ohio Extension Campus Primary Care Scholarships per year, and eight
$10,000 scholarships associated with Rural and Urban Community Scholar positions.