August 13, 2025

Marshall Medical Centers Awarded HRSA Planning Grant to Develop Rural Residency Program

Marshall Medical Centers has been awarded a prestigious Rural Residency Planning and Development Program Grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This highly competitive grant will support the planning and development of a new rural residency program, helping to grow the physician workforce in medically underserved areas.

This planning grant will support Marshall Medical Centers in its work on the initial stages of developing a sustainable Family Medicine residency program designed to train and retain physicians who are committed to serving rural communities. The funding will be used over a period of several years to support faculty development, curriculum design, partnerships with academic institutions, and the accreditation process.

“We are honored to receive this important funding from HRSA,” said Chris Rush, Marshall Medical Centers President. “This grant is a boost for us in our efforts toward addressing the shortage of primary care and specialty physicians in our rural region. Our goal is to develop a high-quality training program that not only equips new doctors with the skills they need, but also inspires them to practice long-term in rural communities like ours.”

The Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program is part of HRSA’s broader efforts to strengthen the rural health workforce and expand access to care. With this award, Marshall Medical Centers joins a forward-thinking group of institutions nationwide committed to developing innovative, community-based residency training programs outside of traditional urban academic centers.

“This grant helps us build the pipeline of future physicians who understand the unique challenges and rewards of practicing in rural areas,” said Rush. “We are excited to begin laying the foundation for a program that will serve our patients, community, and region for years to come.”