The Kansas Bridging Plan (KBP), a vitally successful loan forgiveness program that incentivizes physicians to practice in rural Kansas, has been recently expanded by Kansas legislators to include OB-GYN physicians.

Each year, KBP funds up to 14 slots for primary care physicians and three slots for psychiatrists – and with the recent expansion, the program will now also fund three additional slots for OB-GYN physicians.

KBP is designed to encourage physicians to practice in a rural Kansas community upon the completion of their training. At the core of the program is a close partnership between the State, rural healthcare organization, and physician.

The State of Kansas provides $10,000 to each KBP participant and encourages the employing health care organization to match those funds along with a sign-on bonus of at least $6,000. In exchange, the KBP physician commits to a three-year practice obligation. One-hundred of the 105 Kansas counties qualify as an eligible practice location. 

KBP has a very strong retention history of participants who continue to practice in Kansas after completing their obligation. 

“After 30 years of success, KBP continues to thrive and positively impact our state,” said Joyce Grayson, director of Rural Health Education and Services, which administers KBP. “Over 350 physicians have participated in the program and 80% of them are still practicing in Kansas. It’s clear that KBP physicians are committed to rural Kansas and serving underserved populations.”

Applications are accepted September 1 to December 31 each year and are awarded in the order they are received until all loans are committed. Typically, resident physicians apply in September during their first year in residency.

Rural Health Education and Services is a department within the Institute for Community Engagement at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). KUMC is committed to building effective partnerships throughout the state to find new ways to improve the lives of Kansans. KBP is one of the many KUMC programs that responds to the needs of Kansas communities, increases access to care, and supports a robust healthcare workforce pipeline.

To learn more about our different services, visit our Community Engagement page.