Kansas Health Science University awarded $750K grant to expand health care access in underserved Kansas communities

WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) $750,000 in funding through the competitive Rural Residency Planning and Development Program. This prestigious federal award will support KHSU and its Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) in establishing a new residency program to train family medicine physicians – expanding health care access and strengthening the physician workforce in underserved Kansas communities.

"We have a serious deficit of primary care physicians in this country and especially rural Kansas," said Kimberly Long, Ph.D., acting president of KHSU. "By creating this new residency program, we aren't just training a new generation of family medicine physicians. We're establishing a long-term pipeline of dedicated practitioners. This grant allows us to make a lasting, generational impact on health care access for the communities that need it most."

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas is ranked 40^th in the nation for its number of active physicians per capita, with 69 out of 105 counties – primarily in rural areas – identified as health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in primary care. Nationally, a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians is projected within 12 years, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) states that nearly 70% of the nation's Health Professional Shortage Areas for primary care are in rural communities.

"Rural settings often require a broader scope of practice – including minor procedures, emergency care, outpatient surgery, and obstetrics – offering a more generalist and dynamic experience," said Lori McMann, director of graduate medical education and continuing medical education at KHSU. "This rural training will also expose residents to the lifestyle, culture and clinical environment of rural medicine, helping trainees develop confidence and comfort in practicing outside urban centers."

The HRSA award enables KHSU to build the infrastructure required for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approval and to launch a new rural family medicine residency program. The new program will send residents to collaborating partners in the region that haven't hosted residents before. To help prepare these partner sites, the federal funds will be used to develop an infrastructure – such as building conference rooms and offices – as well as covering the costs for faculty development and purchasing equipment – such as laptops and Point of Care Ultrasound – to support the program.

Once the program is approved, KansasCOM will admit cohorts of four residents annually, with an effort to attract residents who demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a career in rural primary care practice. Through the program's didactic and clinical curriculum, faculty members and residents will partner with local organizations to address social determinants of health, such as providing resources for transportation, nutrition, and mental health to enhance overall well-being.

"By rotating in a rural training program such as this, medical students will gain education and experience that address the unique needs of rural medicine to determine if rural practice is right for them," said McMann. "On average, 50-57% of physicians who train in rural areas will stay to practice in a rural area. This new program has the potential to make a significant impact on the disparity of care in underserved areas and is a real win for rural America."

About Kansas Health Science University
Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) is committed to developing strong, innovative education programs in emerging areas of health care. In 2022, KHSU welcomed the first class of students to the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM), the first college of osteopathic medicine in the state. The college provides a comprehensive education that combines the core tenets of osteopathic medicine with curriculum focused on innovative technologies and community-based care. KHSU is part of The Community Solution Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges and universities working together to advance student success and community impact. Learn more.

SOURCE Kansas Health Science University