AR SB504

Establishes the Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program to address physician shortages in rural areas by placing medical students in preceptorships at clinics, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other healthcare facilities in rural communities

Four medical schools are eligible to participate: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

Division of Higher Education will administer the program and reimburse participating institutions at a per diem rate for up to 3 weeks of placement per medical student

Program funding may come from public or private sources, utilizing a public-private partnership model to combine resources

Approved on April 17, 2025