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Previously, the SAHP, unlike the other UNMC colleges, has only provided RHOP positions for students at Chadron State College.
The addition of 10 total positions in the SAHP physical therapy, physician assistant, clinical laboratory science and radiography education programs represents a 70 percent increase in available RHOP positions.
“The expansion of the allied health RHOP to Wayne State College is an indication of the SAHP’s commitment to both the education and health of rural Nebraskans,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., associate dean of the UNMC School of Allied Health Professions.
“The need for rural health professionals continues to grow and RHOP is critical to meeting our future demands for rural health professions,” said Dave Peitz, Ph.D., coordinator of the RHOP program at Wayne State College. “We are delighted in the UNMC School of Allied Health Professions’ decision to add allied health opportunities at Wayne State.”
RHOP, which began in 1989, encourages rural residents to pursue health care careers. If selected, students obtain early admission into participating UNMC programs upon completion of their studies at Chadron State or Wayne State College.
In that time:
- 536 RHOP students have pursued health care degrees; and
- 315 students have graduated from UNMC and completed residencies.
Currently, 203 students are in the RHOP pipeline at Chadron State College, Wayne State College or UNMC.
“Almost half of all RHOP graduates are from our allied health programs,” said Greg Karst, Ph.D., SAHP assistant dean for academic affairs, “but the need for allied health professionals in rural Nebraska remains a significant concern.”
Nebraska State College System Chancellor Stan Carpenter agreed.
“As we know RHOP is vital to maintaining access to medical care in rural Nebraska,” Carpenter said. “Expanding programs in allied health at Wayne State College provides students and the college greater opportunity to serve the local community.”