The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) has announced that the 2013 Rhode Island Health Professional Loan Repayment Program application cycle has been extended through May 18, 2013. The program offers health education loan repayments to eligible health professionals who serve in a variety of disciplines, including primary care, dentistry, and mental health, that have made a two-year commitment to practice in underserved communities in Rhode Island. The Health Professional Loan Repayment Board will review and evaluate all applications received from healthcare professionals and sites to determine program eligibility based on regulations and the availability of funding. A total of $250,000 has been allocated to the State of Rhode Island for eight to 10 awards. Information about how to apply for loan repayment assistance, individual and site eligibility requirements, and designations of underserved areas (as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration) can be found at http://www.health.ri.gov/grants/healthprofessionalloanrepayment/index.php

The Hospital Association of Rhode Island has released the findings of its statewide community health needs assessment and launched a new community health website, created in collaboration with the state's hospitals and the Rhode Island Department of Health. Rhode Island is only the fifth state in the nation to offer a statewide community health website. The site specifically aims at supporting the development of community health assessments and community health improvement plans by hospitals and health departments, but its content is relevant for anyone interested in how to assess and improve the health of communities.