Longitudinal assessment of a Dental and Medical Student Service program in Appalachia: Successes and lessons learned

Recruiting/retaining healthcare professionals within rural and underserved communities in the United States remains a challenge. The West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health implemented a service scholarship program in 2011 to address a lack of dental and primary care.

Dental and medical students commit to practice 12-months full time following graduation in a Health Profession Shortage Area (HPSA) or Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) in West Virginia for each $25,000 received.

Since inception of the program, 20 of 23 (87 percent) dental recipients had completed their service commitment, 17 (85 percent) are still practicing in WV, and 3 (13 percent) are fulfilling their commitment. Four of 20 medical recipients have repaid (2) or fulfilled (2) program commitments and 16 are completing commitments or deferred during training. Retention rate is 82 percent for both dental and medical professionals following program completion.

Service scholarships effectively engage students to provide care in rural/underserved areas and remain there after program completion.