Congratulations to the following Providers:

• Carey E. Levin, Castle Valley Children’s Clinic [Garfield County]
• Chad J. Knaus, Roaring Fork Family Physicians PC [Garfield Count]
• Donald Pete Romero, San Luis Valley Mental Health Center [Alamosa County]
• Elizabeth Moran, Pagosa Pregnancy Support Center [Archuleta County]
• Erin Johnson, Yuma Family Dental [Yuma County]
• Katja Austin, Mountain Valley Medical Clinic [Grand County]
• Laura Spencer-Wagner, Community Health Clinic [Dolores County]
• Michelle Nadon, Colorado Plains Medical Center [Morgan County]
• Veronica Bartlett, CT Archuleta MD LLC [Otero County]

Colorado Rural Outreach Program (CROP) awards can be used to recruit new or retain current healthcare professional by repaying portions of the professional’s outstanding educational loans, or by giving a retention bonus if all educational loans are paid in full. All CROP grants require a monetary “match” equal to the proposed award amount. The match requirement aims to encourage organizations, communities, and clinics to work collaboratively at solving their workforce shortage issues. We hope communities will be introduced to the idea that retaining healthcare professionals can be greatly enhanced when it’s a community effort.

CROP grants are unique from other loan repayment programs because the majority of healthcare professionals are eligible (including but not limited to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, providers of mental health services, providers of dental health services, allied health professionals, physical therapists and pharmacists).

CROP will begin its next grant cycle in Fall 2011. Please check our website in the fall for the newest guidelines and cycle information.