Funding Opportunity Title U.S. Virgin Islands State Loan Repayment Program Organization U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Primary Care Office Applicant Name Berlina Wallace-Berube, MACP, MEd Address 3500 Estate Richmond, Christiansted, VI 00820 Phone Numbers (340)718-1311 Ext. 3755 Email Address berlina.wallace-berube@doh.vi.gov Website Address http://www.doh.vi.gov Project Abstract Currently, the USVI does not participate in the Bureau of Health Workforce grant to states program. In efforts to further meet the needs of the USVI community, the USVI Department of Health (DOH) Primary Care Office (PCO) seeks to collaborate with internal and external partners to establish the U.S. Virgin Islands State Loan Repayment Program (USVI-SLRP) which would provide incentives to qualified medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmaceutical professionals. In return, these professionals will agree to work for a minimum of two (2) years of service at an eligible practice site in one of the federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in their field of practice throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. The USVI-SLRP will further the USVI DOH efforts to improve and increase access to quality health care by ensuring that there are an adequate number of qualified practitioners in the specific disciplines listed in the table below providing services to U.S. Virgin Islands residents. The USVI DOH-PCO administers and manages other workforce incentive programs to increase access to equitable primary health care, including the Conrad 30 Program. Additionally, the USVI DOH-PCO promotes and provides technical assistance for the Bureau of Health Workforce recruitment and retention programs, National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps leading to an increase in the number of USVI providers who participate in these programs and deliver care in underserved communities. The implementation of the USVI-SLRP will bolster the USVI DOH’s efforts to impro
ve and increase access to quality health care by ensuring that there are an adequate number of qualified practitioners providing services to USVI residents in HPSAs. The USVI-SLRP is a vital recruitment and retention tool that will facilitate a broader distribution of skilled healthcare providers in the USVI. According to the 2020 Census, the USVI has a population of 87,146 and an estimated total of 57,257 household units with 25,470 on St. Croix, 28,142 on St. Thomas, and 3,645 on St. John. Approximately 30% of the USVI population live below the poverty line, compared to 16% nationwide. The entire USVI is a Health Professionals Shortage Area (HPSA) with primary care, dental, and mental health designations. In 2016, the uninsured rate in the USVI was more than double the uninsured rate in the US (30% compared to 12%). Also in 2016, about 40% of the population was on some form of public insurance with 23% enrolled in Medicaid and 17% receiving Medicare benefits. The age-adjusted mortality for diabetes in the USVI (42.3 per 100,000) is over double that of the United States (20.8 per 100,000). Deaths due to hypertension, renal hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease are also extremely high, ranging from 21.5 – 33.4 per 100,000. Participation in the Bureau of Health Workforce grant to states program would result in increased access to healthcare and a decrease in health disparities for USVI residents.