The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals was notified today it is receiving a $15 million grant to provide incentives to try and lure primary care physicians and other health care professionals back to the New Orleans area.

Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Greater New Orleans – Health Service Corps grant will provide up to $110,000 in incentive payments to primary care doctors and other health care professionals who relocate to New Orleans or the surrounding areas.

“Rebuilding the health care workforce in the New Orleans region is critical to rebuilding an effective health care system,” said DHH Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise. “This program provides a wonderful opportunity for health professionals to come back to New Orleans and contribute to the rebuilding of the areas health care infrastructure.”

Under the DHH grant, if physicians and other health professionals commit to providing three years of full-time professional health care services in the Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines or St. Bernard parishes, they will be eligible for loan repayments, sign-on bonuses, malpractice premium payments, relocation expenses, health information technology continuing education expenses and income guarantees.

Family practice, general practice, obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, pediatrics and general psychiatry physicians will be eligible for payments from the grant program. In addition to medical doctors, the program will assist dentists, family practice physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, registered clinical dental hygienists, licensed clinical or counseling psychologists, psychiatric nurse specialists, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers and licensed pharmacists.

The incentive payments are not unlimited. Physicians, psychiatrists and dentists may receive up to $110,000; mid-level providers may receive up to $55,000 and pharmacists may receive up to $50,000. Providers also may customize a package of incentives. Incentives packages could include up to $110,000 in loan repayment or income guarantees, up to $40,000 for sign-on bonuses or malpractice premium payments, up to $20,000 for relocation expenses and up to $10,000 for health information technology continuing education expenses.

According to program guidelines, participants must provide services in a federally designated health professional shortage area to all patients regardless of ability to pay. Participants also must accept Medicare and Medicaid patients, have a sliding fee-scale for low income, uninsured patients and be U.S. citizens licensed to practice in Louisiana. Additionally, health professionals currently practicing in a health professional shortage area in another region of the state will not be eligible.

Applications will be accepted beginning March 30, 2007, and will be available here.

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under Post-Hurricane Healthcare

Comments

I,m interested, please send info.
Peter Cabiran on March 19th, 2007

To whom it may concern: I am writing in regards to grant that is going to be awarded to healthcare providers. I am a Certified Respiratory Therapist working in Jefferson Parish. I noticed that Respiratory Therapist was not on the list to receive the bonus/grant. There is a shortage of CRT and we are a vital part of the medical field. I would appreciated it if it be reconsidered for Respiratory Therapist to receive the bonus/grant also. To learn about my job description you can visit www.NBRC.org
Debra Bradley on March 27th, 2007

I am a Respiratory Therapist who works in Jefferson Parish, Iworked in Orleans Parish pre-Katrina,I was also a healthcare worker who stayed and worked at a local n.o. hospital during Katrina. why are RT's not included in your list of workers who qualify for the grant? we are a vital part of the day 2 day running of the hospital and are always shorthanded,just as much as the other healthcare workers.Please contact me so you can be made aware of our role in the hospitals,for i feel like it is being downplayed as not as important as the others.
WHITNEY WHITE on March 27th, 2007

I am a Respiratory Therapist employed in the New Orleans/Jefferson Parish area. I have concerns about my profession not listed as a candidate for grant/bonuses being offered. There is a massive shortage of Respiratory Therapists throughout the New Orleans area also. We, as Respiratory Therapist, play a major role in acute/critical care of all patients. To learn more about our profession, go to NBRC.org. Respectfully submitted.
Sandra Wiltz on March 27th, 2007

ARE YOUR OFFERING MONEY FOR NURSES TO COME TO LOUSIANA FOR 3 YEARS I AM AN RN CCRN IN TENNESSEE
MELISSA BROWN on April 3rd, 2007

Will payments to recruiters be reimbursed under the grant? dl
Drew Leven on April 12th, 2007

I have a group of RN's, LPN's and nursing assistants from Michigan that are interested in coming. Are you offering incentives?
Donna Gjeldum on April 21st, 2007

WHAT NURSING EDUCATION INCENTIVES ARE OFFERED? I HAVE MAINTAINED A PSYCH NURSE/MENTAL HEALTH NURSE ANA CERTIFICATION FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS. WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH OR EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES?
PMartin on May 17th, 2007

Dear Sir: I am a dermatologist living and practicing in Chicago, and am licensed here and Indiana. I was previously licensed in MD,DC,VA and WIS, all allowed to lapse over the years. Also, I do spend about a month a year in Covington, though my primary home is in Chicago. Ref to the licensure process, will it be feasible to receive reciprocity.Also, I have an interest in telemedicine, specifically,in teledermatology. In your program, can services be delivered, patients evaluated and treated via of this medium. Thank you. Lucius C. Earles III, MD
Lucius C. Earles III, MD on May 20th, 2007

Are you offering incentives for RN's - in post/partum care areas? If so, what are the requirements. Thank you. K Baltutis RN
Kathy Baltutis on June 24th, 2007

How does a Licensed healthcare provider find out if they are a shortage field? I will be a Licensed Massage Therapist soon and plan to move to NOLA--how can I help? Sean O'Hara
Sean O'Hara on July 16th, 2007

how do you apply
cheryl dubuc on July 17th, 2007

Does this apply to RN's who are already working in the New Orleans area or is this just to recruit out of towners?? I ask because this would be a great incentive to stay since I am seriously considering moving out of state!!
Kris on July 20th, 2007

How do we apply for this incentive?
Alicia Strickland, RN on July 30th, 2007

Please send me the needed forms to be filled out for being employed in orleans parish and to receive the grant. thanks
Cynthia Eitmann on August 2nd, 2007

I would like to apply for the grant. Please send me info ghelmer@bellsouth.net
Georga Helmer on August 6th, 2007

please send information to my email regarding nicu rn. thanks
eunice r. williams on August 12th, 2007

I worked with Samsa and was asked to come ack. Funding stopped as crime statistics occured. Still interested. Could give 40 hours, fly back to my own small practice and definitely concerned about the reported suicide rates, the trailer camps. Communicated with the Mayor on two occasions, and the Director of Medicine to no avail. Please respond
raymond Kemmerer on August 14th, 2007

Hi. I am a registered nurse (Bachelor's Degree) I currently work in the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria. I work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I work as charge nurse ocassionally. Are you offering any incentives for registered nurses? Thanks.
Misty on August 15th, 2007

Can you tell me what hospitals are offering bonus for RN
Teresa on August 28th, 2007

I AM A RN WITH A BS DEGREE AND I AM VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER. PLEASE SEND INFO.
RITA WHEAT on August 30th, 2007

I am a Registered Nurse with a BSN. Currently working on my MSN and I am very interested in what you are offering. Please send information.
shelita King on September 4th, 2007

I am a Reguistered Nurse with a BSN. Are pediatric nurses or med/surg nurses available for this grant or any other incentives in the New Orleans area? Please send my any information available
Brandi Watkins on September 9th, 2007

HELLO I AM NURSE PRACTITONER THAT WORKS AS A RN, CURRENTLY I'M DOING TRAVELLING NURSING AND WOULD LIKE SOME INFORMATION REGARDING SIGN BONUS FOR RN COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH THAT INFORMATION
NIKKI JONES on September 17th, 2007

I am an RN with 30 years experience and heard about a sign on bonus for RN's in the New Orleans Louisiana. Please send me more information
Felecie Landry on September 25th, 2007

What incentives are offered for RNs? My speciality is in Pediatric Intensive Care, I currently work as a charge nurse.
John Komar on October 30th, 2007

Is there grant money available for new RN grads? I am in my last semester at Charity and am having second thoughts about stayig in the New Orleans area. With a mountain of debt incintives like these might help make the decision for me. Please send me any available information. Thank you.
R. Montalbano on November 3rd, 2007

I am an RN who was working at Lindy Boggs before Katrina. I subsequently relocated to NC. The contract I signed has been fulfilled. Are there incentives available to help me return to the "Big Easy"?
pawlet on November 6th, 2007

Please send information on employment opportunities as well as sign on bonus information. I am an RN with 18 years of experience. thankyou.
Andrea Montgomery on November 8th, 2007

I am a certified behavior analyst living in the state of Washington. I retired from my own behavioral analyst clinic and school in Miami, Florida 3.5 years ago. I currently have 3 autistic clients working for myself part time. I am interested in a 3 year com mittment in New Orleans LA. Please inform me of the need of behavioral analysts in New Orleans.
Jeannette Myers on January 15th, 2008

I am an RN with pediatric acute care and hematology/oncology experience. Are there any incentives offered for RN's?
Misty on April 29th, 2008

I am a respiratory therapist in pa and am interested in relocating. i am a widow and would like to continue my education and get my rn degree what incentives do you have.
kristin kavounas on May 15th, 2008

I am a marriage and family therapist and National Certified Counselor in Florida. I am interesed in relocating to New Orleans. I am working towards my license in marriage and family therapy and I intend to keep working towards this license under supervision if I was to relocate. Please let me know if I would be eligible for this grant. Thank you.
Daiana da Costa on May 18th, 2008

I am a nurse Practitioner, i am interested in information on federal grants offered. Please let me know. Thank you
susan Perry on June 29th, 2008

casin-senza-deposito .

small business insurance on July 25th, 2008

Leave Your Comments

RECENT ALERTS

VIEW ALL ALERTS

Read about and post comments/questions on 'up-to-the-minute' Louisiana health issues!

Federal Grant will Pay Doctors Bonuses and Incentives to Come to New Orleans AreaPosted Monday March 05, 2007

Comments

Leave Your Comments

RECENT ALERTS

VIEW ALL ALERTS

Federal Grant will Pay Doctors Bonuses and Incentives to Come to New Orleans Area
Posted Monday March 05, 2007