Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce

The 2026 HRSA STAR Loan Repayment Program Facility Application Cycle is open through June 23 at 7:30 p.m.

The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP) offers behavioral health providers working full-time in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment up to $250,000 in student loan repayment in exchange for a six-year service commitment at an approved site.

Eligible SUD treatment facilities can apply to become a STAR Loan Repayment Program approved facility, helping support clinician recruitment and retention.

To apply or learn more, visit: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-loan-repayment/star-lrp/facility-eligibility

Emory University's Public Health and General Preventive Medicine (PHGPM) Residency and Fellowship Program recently had residents complete rotations with the Southeast Health District (SEHD).

PHGPM is a unique residency track that focuses on population and public health, setting it apart from other medical specialties. Training emphasizes preventive medicine, primary care, and conditions of public health significance.

During their time, resident physicians gained hands-on experience in local, state, and federal governmental public health settings across multiple programs, including:

• Environmental health
• Health promotion and disease prevention in communities
• Maternal and child health
• Community medical services
• Wellness clinics
• Infectious disease surveillance and reporting
• Emergency preparedness and services

Partnerships and experiences like these are how we build a healthcare workforce ready to meet Georgia's healthcare needs.

June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, and the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce joins the effort to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

As Georgia's healthcare workforce continues to grow and adapt to meet the needs of an aging population, awareness of brain health and dementia care is playing an increasingly vital role. The Alzheimer's Association offers helpful resources, including free virtual education programs, a Brain Health Habit Builder to assess your habits, information on early detection and 10 Healthy Habits that promote brain health.

Visit the Alzheimer's Association website to learn more: https://www.alz.org/abam

Throughout June, consider wearing purple, the color of Alzheimer's awareness to help spread the word!

On April 17, the The University of Georgia School of Nursing was named the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing.The announcement was a surprise to Kay herself, a tribute to a lifetime of caring for others.

As founding Dean Dr. Carolyn Clevenger said during the ceremony: "The school that will carry your name will be built on the same values that I understand you have lived by: care for others, presence in community and the belief that the people around you deserve the very best of what you have to give."

Under Dr. Clevenger's leadership, the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing plans to welcome its first students as early as fall 2027. At a time when Georgia faces a critical nursing shortage, this investment matters deeply.

We're proud to recognize Dr. Clevenger's leadership and celebrate this landmark moment for nursing education in our state.

Read the full article from UGA: https://lnkd.in/eb--igzi

Shaping tomorrow's orthopaedic workforce starts with voices like Dr. James Barber's.

On May 13, 2026, Board member and immediate past Chair Dr. Barber took the stage at the The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) 2026 Summer Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (CORD) Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he spoke on rural orthopaedics.

As an orthopaedic surgeon in Douglas, Georgia, Dr. Barber doesn't just speak about rural health, he lives it every day. His perspective on the challenges, rewards, and future of rural orthopaedic practice is shaped by real-world experience serving a community that depends on that care.

Last year, the American Orthopaedic Association sat down with Dr. Barber to explore how rural surgeons navigate an evolving healthcare landscape. It's a conversation worth hearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqp70g6VF0Y

We're proud to have Dr. Barber's leadership both on our Board and on stages like CORD!

Congratulations to our very own Amy Reeves, on earning her Doctorate of Medical Science!

Amy's commitment to advancing her knowledge and expertise is a true reflection of the dedication she brings as a Board Member. Amy exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, serve with heart, and never stop growing. Her achievement inspires all of us, and we are honored to have her as Board member

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Reeves on this amazing accomplishment. We are incredibly proud to have her on our Board!

Our newly published Loan Repayment Programs Report and interactive dashboard take a longitudinal look at all nine service-cancellable loan repayment programs from 2016 to 2025.

The report and dashboard delve into provider practice location, practice duration, community enhancements, and remaining gaps.

Highlights include:
-GBHCW's loan repayment programs have reached 501 healthcare providers, serving in 103 of the state's 159 counties
-72.7% of recipients remain licensed and actively practicing in rural, underserved communities in Georgia as of March 2026
-Quantitative and qualitative analysis of all loan repayment programs

We encourage you to explore the full report and navigate the dashboard!

Read the full Loan Repayment Programs Report: https://healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov/main-publications-reports/data-publications/gbhcw-fact-sheets

Navigate the Loan Repayment Programs Visual Dashboard: https://prod.insights.georgia.gov/views/StateofGeorgiaLoanRepaymentProgram/Summary?%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y

The Georgia Board for Health Care Workforce is proud to recognize Board Member, Indran Indrakrishnan, recently featured in USA Today for his decades of leadership in patient care, prevention, and community health.

He is a board-certified gastroenterologist and adjunct professor at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Indrakrishnan has been a steadfast advocate for preventive care and early detection screening. Most recently through his efforts connected to Georgia's first statewide Cancer Day, recognized by Governor Brian Kemp on February 4, 2026.

Through education, patient care, and outreach, he continues to encourage awareness about the role of prevention in long-term health: “The objective is always to contribute constructively and leave systems stronger than we found them.”

Congratulations, Dr. Indrakrishnan! We are grateful for your service to Georgia.

Read the full article in USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2026/05/22/dr-bhuvanendram-indrakrishnan-leadership-in-medicine-and-community-health/90214273007/

Dr. Bhuvanendram Indrakrishnan: Leadership in Medicine and Community Health His work reflects the view that long-term health depends on education, access, and consistent care.

The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce (GBHCW) is pleased to introduce Alice Chen, the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, Data Analyst!

Alice joins GBHCW as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (Georgia's GREAT Health program), a statewide initiative developed in collaboration with CMS to strengthen rural communities through improved healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.

Alice brings a strong foundation in program and evaluation work, with experience at organizations including the CDC, CARE USA, and Emory University. She is deeply passionate about health equity and sustainability.

Outside of work, Alice enjoys taking walks, playing video games, and traveling.

We are thrilled to welcome Alice to the team and look forward to the meaningful contributions she will bring to rural health in Georgia. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!

If you're passionate about strengthening Georgia's rural healthcare, this grant opportunity is for you!

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS's Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program is now open for applications.

This grant supports the development of new rural residency and rural track programs, to address physician workforce shortages in rural communities. Eligible programs are those where residents train in rural settings for more than 50% of their experience, as defined by HRSA rural eligibility.

Here's what you need to know:
- Up to $750,000 per award
- Approximately 15 grants available
- Funds support planning, accreditation, faculty development, recruitment, and more
- Application deadline: June 2, 2026

Learn more: https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/grants/rural-health-research-policy/rrpd

Please tag or share with colleagues and organizations who could benefit from this opportunity.