National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

The National Health Service Corps is a program for the recruitment of primary care providers in HPSAs. NHSC is operated through the Bureau of Health Care and Delivery Assistance, Health Resources and Services Administration. NHSC providers consist of three types:

1. Obligated Scholars - medical school or mid-level practitioner graduates who have been provided tuition in support of return for obligated service in HPSAs;
2. Loan Repayment Program Participants - NHSC provides the state with matching grants to repay educational loans in exchange for service in HPSAs;
3. Commissioned Officers - the National Health Service Corps allocates dentists and physicians who are assigned by the corps to work in a underserved area; and
4. Volunteers - Health Professionals who are interested in serving in an underserved area.

See http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov for more information.

Sources: Public Health Service, HHS, 42 CFR Part 5 as of January 18, 1996; Bureau of Primary Health Care, Guidelines for MUA/MUP Designation, June 12, 1995; Richard C. Lee, Current Approaches to Shortage Area Designation, The Journal of Rural Health, Vol. 7 (4) Supp. 1991; Beth Giesting, Outline of Federal Designations for Areas, Populations, and Providers, (part of memo to Representative Kahikina, dated January 23, 1996, Honolulu); National Association of Country Health Officials, National Health Service Corps; Applying for Corps Personnel, January 17, 1992.

Hawaii Primary Care Office

1250 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-4188
Fax: (808) 586-4193