(Washington, DC) – Today, the DC Department of Health (DOH) announced that its citywide Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), which provides loan repayment services to eligible District providers practicing in HPLRP-certified Service Obligation Sites (SOS), is currently accepting new applications.

Eligible participants for the loan repayment program include licensed and certified physicians and dentists and other health professionals including dental hygienists, registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, as well as clinical social workers, psychologists, and professional counselors.

Practitioners interested in the program must be employed or have an employment contract with a certified SOS to provide direct patient care for at least 40 hours per week. To become a SOS, a site must be a public or non-profit entity located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and must submit an application for review to the HPLRP. It is important to note that practitioners must submit completed applications by June 30, 2012 as loan repayment contracts will begin August, 2012. The loan repayment program will be issuing between six and twelve awards. Accepted applicants will receive a two-year award contract and will be required to renew their certification annually.

In exchange for a commitment to practice full-time at a facility located at a certified SOS, the District will provide loan repayment benefits of up to $60,034 for medical and dental providers and $33,018 for all other eligible providers. Contracts will be paid out in a lump sum within 90 days of the contract start date. Over the course of four years, the HPLRP will provide up to $136,440 in loan repayment for physicians and dentists and up to $75,042 for all other eligible professionals.

For more information, visit www.doh.dc.gov or contact the loan repayment program directly at [email protected] or (202) 442-9168.