Marina
For many in rural Kansas, seeking medical care means long drives and delays. To change that, the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) has received a $750,000 federal grant through the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program.
The goal: bring doctors directly into communities that need them most.
Rural Shortage: A Statewide Crisis
Out of 105 Kansas counties, 73 are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). These areas suffer from limited access to routine and preventive health services, putting residents at risk.
The grant aims to spark meaningful improvements by nurturing a new generation of rural-ready physicians.
Grant Snapshot
| Grant Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | $750,000 |
| Source | Federal Rural Residency Planning and Development Program |
| Recipient Institution | Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM), part of KHSU |
| Program Focus | Family medicine residency with emphasis on rural primary care |
| Residency Structure | 2 years in rural communities + 1 year in urban setting |
| Physician Retention Rate | Over 50% of rural-trained physicians stay to practice in rural areas |
| Physician Shortage Context | Kansas ranks 40th nationally for active physicians per capita |
Training for Kansas Communities
Under the plan, KansasCOM will build a residency program specially tailored for rural primary care. Physicians will spend two years serving rural clinics, followed by one year in urban settings—a strategic balance enhancing both scope and adaptability.
This immersive training format aligns with studies showing that more than half of physicians trained in rural settings eventually settle and practice in similar environments.
Boosting Workforce Through Local Partnerships
To implement the residency program successfully, KansasCOM is forming partnerships with rural hospitals and clinics.
These collaborations will create the necessary infrastructure and support—enabling trainees to deliver essential care directly where it’s needed while building lasting local relationships.
Shaping the Future Generation of Doctors
Beyond providing immediate care, the initiative nurtures long-term physician pipelines rooted in rural communities. Cindy Samuelson, Senior VP at the Kansas Hospital Association, highlights how scholarships and shadowing opportunities can inspire students from rural areas to return and serve their communities.
Building on KansasCOM’s Vision
Launched in 2022, KansasCOM emerged as the state’s pioneering osteopathic medical school in over 100 years.
Designed with a mission to prioritize community-focused education, the school has already engaged students in extensive rural outreach and clinical rotations—laying a strong foundation for the new residency program.
The $750,000 federal grant marks a critical moment for rural health in Kansas. By launching a dedicated family medicine residency, KansasCOM is investing in both immediate healthcare relief and enduring physician retention within underserved communities.
Through local partnerships, immersive training, and a focus on rural practice, this initiative holds the promise of transforming health access across the state—and ensuring Kansans in remote areas receive the care they deserve.