Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $7 Million in Federal Funding for Community-Based Residency Programs for Doctors in Underserved Areas

Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $7 Million in Federal Funding for Community-Based Residency Programs for Doctors in Underserved Areas

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $7,040,000 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support new community-based medical residency programs for doctors in underserved areas in Illinois. Under the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education program, physicians train primarily in outpatient community sites, such as community health centers, to build the pipeline of primary care providers and address the needs of their communities.

"Every Illinoisan deserves access to high quality health care- no matter their zip code," said Duckworth. "By investing in community-based residency programs, we are helping expand our healthcare networks, supporting our medical professionals and reaching our underserved communities. I'm proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this federal support to help improve health equity and support our state's health providers at every level."

"Across the country, we face a shortfall of 86,000 doctors over the next decade as many urban and rural areas struggle to recruit and retain health care professionals to serve their communities," said Durbin. "By investing in community-based residency programs for doctors, we can bolster our health care workforce while ensuring underserved communities have access to the medical treatment they need."

Recipients of these HHS grants include:

1. Lawndale Christian Health Center (Affordable Care Act Teaching Health Center; Graduate Medical Education Program): $3,520,000
2. Esperanza Health Centers (Affordable Care Act Teaching Health Center; Graduate Medical Education Program): $3,520,000

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