SB504

Senate Bill 504 establishes the Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program to address the shortage of physicians practicing in rural areas of the state. The program creates a framework for medical students to complete clinical rotations in rural clinics, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers. By utilizing public-private partnerships, the state aims to encourage medical students to pursue careers in rural communities by providing them with practical experience in those settings. The Division of Higher Education is designated to administer the program and manage the distribution of funding. Eligible participants include the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, and the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Participating institutions receive reimbursement at a set per diem rate for medical students placed in rural programs for up to three weeks. Funding for these initiatives may be sourced from both public and private entities.