Friday, May 2, 2025
5/2/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Project Director: Sonia V. Otte (909) 537-3140; Sonia.Otte@csusb.edu; California State University, San Bernardino (www.csusb.edu) There is a critical shortage of primary care clinicians in California, which has led to a looming healthcare crisis in many areas of the state. The Inland Empire (comprised of San Bernardino and Riverside counties) currently has the most severe shortage of primary care providers in California. This region has just 41 primary care providers per 100,000 people, which is roughly half the recommended range (i.e., 60 to 80 primary care providers per 100,000 people). California State University - San Bernardino (CSUSB) is developing a 27-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program to contribute to resolving these regional and state healthcare shortages. A As essential members of the health care delivery team, physician assistants (PAs) can address existing health disparities by providing access to more affordable and equally high-quality healthcare. PAs are certified healthcare providers who diagnose conditions, develop patient-centered treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide preventative care. The CSUSB MSPA program plans to recruit, educate, and graduate talent from within the Inland Empire and other medically underserved areas. Pending a successful accreditation determination, CSUSB will launch the MSPA program in Fall 2025. The program will matriculate a cohort of 40 students each Fall and scale over time to a maximum cohort size of 50 students. The MSPA program will include curricular elements, community service, and clinical experiences that are distinctive in serving the diverse population of California, especially the working class and historically underserved and low-income populations of Inland Southern California. By increasing the number of qualified healthcare providers entering the workforce, the CSUSB MSPA program will help to promote health equity and improve overall patient outcomes through increased access to care. CSUSB seeks $2,000,000 for laboratory equipment and renovation of facilities to help launch the MSPA program. Facilities renovation funding in the amount of $1,250,000 will assist with remodeling an existing building on campus into educational spaces that meet the standards of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The remaining $750,000 will be used to purchase medical and laboratory equipment required to effectively train physician assistant students. Equipment includes 3D virtual anatomy platforms, anatomical models, patient simulators, task trainers for various medical procedures, examination tables, and diagnostic equipment.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).