The Kansas Bridging Plan (KBP) is a loan forgiveness program designed to encourage primary care, OB-GYN, and psychiatry resident physicians to practice in rural Kansas upon completion of residency training.

Each year the State of Kansas funds up to 14 slots for primary care, 3 slots for psychiatry, and 3 slots for OB-GYN. Matching funds from the State and a health care organization provide a combined financial incentive of at least $26,000 ($10,000 from State funds available during residency) in exchange for a 36-month commitment to practice in an eligible Kansas community upon completion of residency training.

Organization/Community Commitment

The organization with which a KBP recipient signs a practice commitment agreement (contract) is encouraged to match the State's loan amount up to $10,000, and loan at least another $6,000 upon completion of residency training, for a total of a minimum $16,000. Organizations can determine how they want to participate in KBP by matching funds during residency, at the end of the practice agreement, or create other unique options.

Although the practice agreement is a private contract between the KBP recipient and the organization, a sample contract is available for organizations to use as a model. Sample Practice Commitment Agreement

Eligible Organizations

Health care organizations located in 100 out of 105 Kansas counties are eligible to be a KBP practice site. Excluded counties include Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte.

How to Participate

Many KBP resident physicians begin searching for a practice opportunity during their first year of residency. The Kansas Recruitment and Retention Center can assist organizations with recruitment needs. Email krrc@kumc.edu for details.

How is the Loan Forgiven?

Although an organization's portion of the KBP loan is governed by a private contract with the resident physician, many health care organizations choose to model their loan forgiveness contract after the one that the State uses. Residency Loan Agreement