Dr. Rudd joined IHS in 1994, originally planning to spend only a few years working in Warm Springs before returning to his native North Carolina to enter private medical practice. But he chose to stay with IHS, believing he had found his career niche in public health, practicing family medicine in an underserved community. In addition to the personal and professional satisfaction he enjoyed working in Warm Springs, Dr. Rudd credits the IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) as an influence on his decision to stay at IHS.
“Financially I was in a better position to stay in the rural area, without feeling I had to work in an urban setting for the financial benefits,” Dr. Rudd said. “I could integrate into the community and make it my home, and practice the whole spectrum of family medicine.” Public health really spoke to me – as part of our routine practice, we do the same things a health department would do for a community. This is what I really enjoy.
“Many new graduates don’t feel like they have an option to look at rural practice because of loan debt. LRP is really critical to make sure we have access to new physicians to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
Continuity of care is one of those needs; one that is valued highly by Tribal communities. It’s well proven that a primary physician forming a long-term relationship with a patient results in improved outcomes, he said. LRP can help to free physicians and other health professionals of their educational loan debt burden, providing them the opportunity to stay in rural settings such as Warm Springs and bring continuity of care to a community.
“LRP gave me the chance to stay here and be part of the solution to the problem of continuity of care. Without LRP, I might not have stayed,” Dr. Rudd said.
During his time with IHS, Dr. Rudd has made a personal impact on the Tribal community, working at the local, state and national level to improve health care delivery and access for Tribal members. He is known for his effort to reduce local deaths caused by accidents, an endeavor that led the Tribal Council to pass a crucial seat belt law in 2001.
Within IHS, Dr. Rudd has played a leadership role in many efforts, including serving as chairman of the IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, a group that strives to make quality, affordable medications more available to American Indians and Alaskan Natives; as a leading consultant regionally for IHS in combating tuberculosis; and as a leader and adviser to HHS on the use of the IHS Electronic Health Record.
Dr. Rudd is also well regarded for his involvement in the local medical community. Over the years he has served in the leadership of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) in numerous positions, including as president in 2002.
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Loan Repayment Program Overview
Meet the LRP Staff
 It’s a big job to thoroughly and accurately process applications to the IHS Loan Repayment Program from start to finish. But in the capable hands of Jackie Santiago, chief of the Loan Repayment Program, and her experienced staff of analysts, the job gets done. In addition to processing applications, Jackie and her staff are ready to assist you, so don’t hesitate to contact them if you have questions, or if you want more information on how the LRP can help you with your staffing needs.
LRP staff contacts and phone numbers
Jackie Santiago |
Branch Chief |
(301) 443-2486 |
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Carla Billingsley
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Dentists, Podiatrists |
(301) 443-2514 |
Paul Lofgren
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Optometry, Mid-Level Practitioners
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(301) 443-1795
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Sylvia Maheux
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Nurses
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(301) 443-2553 |
Correy Ahhaitty |
Pharmacy |
(301) 443-2544 |
Daniel Echohawk |
Behavioral Health, Rehabilitative Services
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(301) 443-2465 |
Jess Brien
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Physicians, other health professions
(includes medical technologists, X-ray technicians, respiratory therapists, dieticians, medical records specialists, engineers, and sanitarians)
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(301) 443-2556 |
Funding
For fiscal year 2008, IHS received an additional $5 million for loan repayment, bringing the total 2008 funding to $22 million. The IHS LRP provides up to $20,000 per year (in addition to salary) for participants who sign a contract agreeing to a minimum two-year service obligation. The LRP pays 20 percent of the federal income tax liability on the award, plus the employer’s portion of the required FICA contribution. Participants are responsible for the balance of the federal income tax liability, as well as any applicable state and local taxes.
Funding from Congress for the LRP varies each fiscal year. IHS develops a formula for distribution of the expected funds based on staffing needs and shortages in specific health profession disciplines. For specific sites with the highest scores for vacancy rates and need, download
the priority list.
Application and Internal Review Process
Health professionals interested in applying to the Loan Repayment Program should download the LRP Application Handbook, How to Apply (9/6/2009 - PDF - 669KB), and complete the necessary forms. Applications are accepted all year, but are processed for consideration from January through September 30 each award year, or until all funds are exhausted. (Awards are made monthly once funding for the cycle is received.) The application deadline is the Friday of the second full week of each month. Successful applicants must begin their service period no later than September 30 of the fiscal year in which they’re accepted into the LRP.
Review Process
The loan repayment staff reviews all new applications and requests for LRP extensions (requests by current recipients to extend their contracts for another year) on the Friday of the second full week of the month. When funds become available, award priority is given to current participants filing for extensions; to applicants who are serving, or have a job offer to serve, at high-priority sites; to American Indians and Alaska Natives; and to individuals recruited through the efforts of Indian Tribes and Tribal or Indian organizations. (Because of these priorities, there may not be sufficient funds to award to other applicants.) Consistent with the LRP ranking method, other factors considered include an applicant’s current employment in an IHS, Tribal or Urban health program; date of availability for service (first come, first served); and the date the application was received by the LRP.
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Supplemental Loan Repayment Program
One way to guarantee a loan repayment award for a health professional is for a facility to participate in the Supplemental Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). A facility that wishes to participate in the SLRP can notify the LRP of its interest and the discipline(s) and number of positions it would like to fund. The facility can send funds to the LRP ahead of time or wait until it finds an applicant who is eligible for the LRP. If a facility does send in money in advance, the money will be returned in early September if an applicant is not found for a certain discipline. The facility’s cost is approximately $52,000 for the initial two-year contract. For more information on this program, please contact Jackie Santiago at the IHS Loan Repayment Program.
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IHS Loan Repayment Program Online
LRP Home
About LRP
Recipient Responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions Back to Top
Contact Us
IHS Loan Repayment Program
(301) 443-3396
Jackie.Santiago@ihs.gov
Contact Loan Repayment Program
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The Indian Health Service’s (IHS) National Council of Clinical Directors has selected Dr. Miles Rudd, MD as its 2008 Physician of the Year. Dr. Rudd is the clinical director of the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center, located on the reservation of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon. He received the honor in recognition of his outstanding service and commitment to the Tribal community during his 13-year career with Indian Health Service. 
