About the Community Practitioner Program (CPP)
The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation has been placing physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in underserved areas throughout North Carolina to improve access to care for all citizens of our state. In exchange for their commitment to serve in these communities, Community Practitioner Program (CPP) participants receive funds to help offset their outstanding medical education loans as well as practice management assistance and continuing medical education to help ensure their professional success.
History of the Program
Over thirty years ago, a group of entrepreneurial and forward-thinking leaders came together to plan new ways to increase the recruitment and retention of primary care providers in rural North Carolina. In 1989, the vision, wisdom and passion of two leaders, Dr. Harvey Estes and Jim Bernstein, and the contributions of key state organizations, paved the way for the birth of the Community Practitioner Program. The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust provided the generous financial support of $4.5 million to make the program a reality, helping medically underserved communities across North Carolina attract and retain needed medical practitioners. In 2005, The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation provided additional support to the Community Practitioner Program through a five-year $10M grant. While the program receives no state or federal funds, the Foundation does receive donations from physicians and other healthcare providers to do this work along with other partners.
Community Practitioner Program Impact
In its 33 years, the Community Practitioner Program (CPP) has placed…
515
physicians, PAs and NPs from
130
different professional schools at
242
unique practice locations in NC in
89/100
North Carolina counties
CPP participants have provided an average value of…
$16Million
in free or reduced-rate care annually
$671Million
total in free or reduced-rate care in 32 years
Meet Some CPP Participants:
Katie Lowry, MD
Christian Lige, MD
Mary Beth Koehler, PNP-BC