Colorado – The Colorado Health Foundation is now offering a new repayment program for medical students who agree to practice in rural areas. The program will pay $150,000 in a three-year period to 18 physicians. The Colorado Community Health Network and the Colorado Rural Health Center are partners of the program that seeks to address the shortage of doctors facing most of Colorado’s 57 rural counties.

Kentucky - Dr. Jay Perman, dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky, said, “About 43 percent of Kentucky residents live in rural areas, but less than 25 percent of doctors practice in rural areas.” To address this shortage, UK has set up a new Rural Physician Leadership Track with 10 students set to participate this fall. Students will take business courses in setting up a rural practice and meet with practicing rural doctors in conjunction with their medical training.

Nationwide – The Pew Internet and American Life Project reports that the share of rural American homes with high-speed Internet service grew 23 percent last year. Despite this growth, rural America’s broadband Internet access is still well behind urban parts of the nation, and the rate at which it is expanding is also slower. A group called InternetforEveryone.org said, “High-speed Internet is a necessity, not a luxury, for education, the economy, free speech, and America’s ability to lead.”

North Dakota – Gov. John Hoeven will host the Governor’s Rural Community Summit “Ac-celerate Your Impact on Rural North Dakota” on Aug. 26-27 in Bismarck. The conference will be focused on providing information about effective practices helping small communities become more sustainable.

Oklahoma – A researcher at the University of Oklahoma has found that the success of rural schools is dependent on the positive attitude of both those running the school and the community at large. Successful rural schools had educators who did not feel rural schools lead their students to failure. Embracing the challenges of rural schools by rejecting a “burdened” tone, educators taking on multiple duties, and being creative with available resources were all key success strategies.

Contact: Casey Franics, caseyf@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1021 for more details.