Health Planning and Systems Development

Supporting Health Care Access through Loan Repayment

The department is pleased to continue “Supporting Health Care Access (through loan) Re-Payment” (SHARP) — a loan repayment opportunity for health care practitioners.

SHARP is not currently accepting clinician applications at this time, however the program continues to accept site applications. Announcements for the next clinician application opportunity will be posted on this website. Please check back after June 1, 2012 for additional information.

SHARP focuses on the recruitment and retention of licensed primary health care professionals in federally designated health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in exchange for the repayment of qualifying educational loans.

Selected primary care practitioners sign a two-year memorandum of agreement, and commit to serve in an identified high-needs area and clinic. Practitioners must have no outstanding contractual obligations for health professional service to the Federal Government (e.g., an active military obligation, National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program or Nursing Scholarship Program obligation), or to another State or other entity.

Occupations eligible for the program include physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other Alaska-licensed primary care professionals.

We now plan the addition of at least another 16 clinicians in this year’s new cohort.

Questions?

To request additional information about the SHARP Program, please fill out the SHARP Inquiry Form.

Robert Sewell, Program Manager
Alaska Division of Public Health
Section of Health Planning & Systems Development
P.O. Box 110660
Juneau, AK 99811-0660
Phone: (907) 465-4065
Email: robert.sewell@alaska.gov

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