If you're a SHOI scholar, this page covers what you need to know about your service commitment. Once you've been awarded SHOI funding, the Oregon Office of Rural Health is your primary contact for everything related to your service commitment.

For program eligibility and how to apply for SHOI funding, visit the SHOI program page.

On this page:

• How we can help
• Meeting your service commitment
• Finding a practice site
• If you can’t fulfill your commitment
• Frequently asked questions

How we can help

When you're awarded funding, your first step is to schedule a call with the Oregon Office of Rural Health. We'll make sure you understand your obligations and set you up for success. We can help you:

• Review your commitment requirements and what's expected of you
• Identify and confirm approved practice sites
• Connect with job opportunities and employer outreach
• Plan your job search, including CV review and mock interviews

Email us at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu to schedule a call.

Meeting your service commitment

As a SHOI scholar, you receive funding for the length of your program. In return, you commit to one year of clinical service at an approved practice site for each year of SHOI funding, plus one additional year. For example, if you received three years of funding, that means a four-year service commitment.

To fulfill your commitment, you must:

• Begin service within 90 days of completing your degree or residency
• Work at least 32 hours per week of clinical practice for 45 weeks per year
• Practice at an approved site for the full length of your commitment

These points cover the basics of your commitment. They don't include every obligation and requirement. Review your signed SHOI agreement for complete terms.

Finding a practice site

You're responsible for finding and securing your own job at an approved practice site. Approved sites change regularly, so you must contact the Oregon Office of Rural Health to confirm whether a site qualifies before signing an employment contract.

The following gives you a general overview of the types of sites that may qualify. 

Urban practice sites (primary care only)

• Federally qualified health centers
• County and state correctional facilities
• Community mental health clinics
• State Mental Hospital in Salem
• Nonprofit facilities with a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation serving a high percentage of Medicaid and/or Medicare patients
• Other primary care facilities identified by the Oregon Office of Rural Health with a HPSA score for your profession

Rural practice sites (primary care and all other specialties)

• Federally qualified health centers
• Rural sites in Oregon with a HPSA designation serving Medicaid and Medicare patients at rates consistent with the surrounding county
• County and state correctional facilities
• Community mental health clinics
• State Mental Hospital in Junction City
• Critical access hospitals and other rural hospitals
• Certified rural health clinics
• Veterans affairs facilities
• Tribal clinics

Important: You may not work as a full-time hospitalist under your SHOI obligation, regardless of practice site location or qualification status.

Job search resources

The Oregon Office of Rural Health sends annual check-in emails to ask about your practice interests and preferences, refers you to posted opportunities and reaches out to employers on your behalf.

Additional resources:

• Search available jobs at 3RNET and sign up to receive opportunity notices from eligible sites.
• Visit the Oregon Primary Care Association's website, where many community health centers post openings.

If you can't fulfill your commitment

If your circumstances change and you can't complete your program or service commitment, you must repay OHSU. The amount and any penalty depend on when and how you exit the program.

Withdrawal or dismissal before completing your program

You must repay the full amount of funding you received. Repayment begins immediately upon withdrawal or dismissal.

Choosing not to fulfill your service commitment after graduation

You must repay the full amount of funding you received plus a 25% penalty within 90 days of graduation.

Beginning but not completing your service commitment

You must repay the total funding plus a 25% penalty within 90 days of discontinuing your service commitment. However, OHSU reduces the total amount owed on a pro-rata basis for every full year you completed. A partial year of service does not count as a full year.

If you do not repay within 90 days in any of these scenarios, OHSU refers the balance to the Oregon Department of Revenue for collection.

Review your signed agreement for full repayment terms.