The Kathelen and Dan Amos Medical Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Frequently Asked Questions

We are using the definition from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It states:

Primary Care is the provision of integrated, accessible health services by clinicians who are accountable for

• addressing a large majority of personal health care needs,
• developing a sustained partnership with patients, and
• practicing in the context of family and community.

We recognize that there are some non-traditional settings for primary care. Again, we are using the definition of primary care setting from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) The following Primary Care settings do not meet this definition. 

• Emergency departments 
• Inpatient hospital settings 
• Ambulatory surgical centers 
• Independent diagnostic testing facilities  
• Skilled nursing facilities  
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities  
• Hospices 

Most of the care that geriatricians, who are also trained in family medicine and internal medicine, provide is primary care. There is a critical need for geriatrician primary care providers in Georgia. The two training programs in our state are training fewer than 10 people and there are only an estimated 150 geriatric providers in Georgia. For this reason, Emory SOM students pursuing geriatric training and geriatricians who are training or graduated from the Emory Geriatrics program are also eligible for this program. 

The scope of this program is focused on the disciplines of internal medicine, family medicine, geriatrics, and family medicine practicing primary care. We agree that Ob/Gyn providers provide primary care services in certain communities. Some states regard general surgeons as providing primary care services as well. Also, this is a program of loan repayment for physicians. We recognize that there are many important health professional team members such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants who also provide primary care services. We hope that others will help patch other gaps in funding and pipeline. 

Yes.

Yes. Primary Care Physicians do not have to be employed by Emory to be eligible for this award.

1. All candidates must complete an online intent to submit and receive confirmation of their program eligibility. 
2. Eligible individuals must complete an application. This will provide information about criteria important for selection (see below) as well as a personal statement. The applicant will need to provide personal information, personal statement, and some general information about intended practice location.  
3. Candidates completing an application will be invited for an interview (online/in person, as allowed) with an interview panel. 
4. The awards committee will notify individuals of the decision to make an award, to defer the application to the next cycle, or to not offer an award through the program.  

We are looking for people who are committed to service through primary care. Once you have been deemed eligible to file an application for this award, a committee will judge applicants based upon:  

• Demonstrated interest and commitment to primary care practice  
• Demonstrated indebtedness or other financial need (formal or other financial obligations for SOM expenses, other non-SOM debt)  
• Attention to producing a diverse workforce for Georgia and inclusion of individuals who are under-represented in medicine  
• Geographic diversity in practice (underserved, rural, non-Metro)   
• Employer has a stated mission of service or is non-profit or publicly held  
• Representation of pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine, and geriatrics 

We have two award time frames. We have a fall application period where recipients are notified by December 15, and a spring Application period where recipients are notified by March 15. 

Yes. And we recognize that there are special considerations for people whose job application requires visa sponsorship.

There is not a requirement for proof of citizenship for this program, but enrollment in the Emory School of Medicine or completion of an Emory Geriatrics fellowship. People who are on J-1 visas, or who are geriatricians who are graduates of international programs are eligible. 

We believe that this award is taxable when paid to you as a check when you are a resident or starting in your clinical practice. You will need to verify whether this award is taxable when it is paid against your tuition if you are a medical student. 

Individuals can apply for $40,000 in tuition credit (current SOM MD students) or loan forgiveness (past SOM MD students who are now in residency training or in their first 5 years of practice). Recipients of one award can apply in the following year for an additional $40,000. The maximum any one individual can receive is $160,000 (or four awards). The first award of $40,000 obligates 2-years of primary care practice in Georgia. Each additional award constitutes an additional year of practice obligation (max of 5 years with four awards of $40,000).  

We recognize that all indebtedness getting through medical school is not the same. There are some people who have not qualified for certain loan programs, and then will avail themselves to others. We are asking applicants to identify their overall level of indebtedness.  

We believe that Emory trained physicians will have opportunities for leadership and scholarship in addition to clinical practice. These duties are allowed as long as the clinical contribution remains over 50% of a full-time effort (20 hours per week). 

The expectation is that this money would be paid back to the program by the recipient. The steering committee of the award program would review circumstances surrounding the reason for inability to fulfill the pledged service and determine the repayment obligation.  

Yes. We anticipate the following benefits will be developed from this program:

• Medical student primary care interest groups
• Access to mentorship, sponsorship, coaching, advising
• Leadership development opportunities
• Chance for engagement and advocacy work
• Lecture series
• Redesign to student and resident training opportunities

23 awards per year maximum for 5 years. Max number of awardees is 115, but we anticipate several individuals receiving multiple awards. We anticipate a benefit to 80-85 total recipients.