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A Brief History of CROP
1995
The Colorado Medical Society (CMS) Rural Health Task Force, headed by Dr. Jack Berry, of Wray, Colorado, identifies an urgent and critical need for physicians in rural areas of Colorado. Their study finds that 55 of Colorado’s 63 counties do not have an adequate number of physicians to meet the population’s need.
CMS commissions a study to examine solutions. One successful method used by other states and organizations to attract physicians to rural and underserved areas is loan repayment.
1996
The Colorado Medical Society drafts legislation that would secure start up funds for the administration of a state loan repayment program for physicians agreeing to practice in rural areas. The legislation passes the first committee, but due to the fiscal note ($80,000 for start-up funds), and limited state dollars, the bill does not pass out of Appropriations.
CMS approves $20,000 to study the feasibility of developing an in-house loan repayment program. The results of the study are positive – physicians would participate in and support such a program and private funders would be willing to provide financial support. CMS establishes a line-of-credit for $75,000 to get the program started.
1997
The new program is called CROP – Colorado Rural Outreach Program. Its mission is “to strengthen the ability of rural communities to recruit and retain physicians.” Because the work of the Rural Health Task Force found other barriers to recruitment and retention, CROP would support loan repayment, practice environment enhancement, locum tenens, general recruitment activities, and ‘grow your own’ projects that create the rural physicians of tomorrow.
The Colorado Medical Society Foundation is created and CROP is moved under its wing. Miranda and Associates is engaged to develop a marketing and fundraising plan. A total of 14 proposals are submitted to private foundations. The Colorado Farm Bureau agrees to assist with fundraising efforts statewide. Regional Medical Societies and members are asked to make contributions.
1998
Thanks to the contributions from individual CMS members, Regional Medical Societies, and other physician groups, over $38,000 is raised in early 1998. In December, the first three CROP grants are awarded to:
- Haxtun Hospital District for loan repayment for a family physician.
- The hospital in Eads to purchase a cardiac telemetry unit.
- The Area Health Education Center in Alamosa for a ‘Grow Your Own’ program exposing high school students to health professions.
1999
The COPIC Medical Foundation pledges $25,000/year for the next five years. CMS members and physician group contributions increase.
Realizing that a few rural counties do not have physicians, family nurse practitioners and physician assistants are made eligible for CROP loan repayment grants.
Seven CROP grants are awarded, totaling $47,331.
From this beginning, CROP has continued to fund rural communities in recruiting and retaining healthcare providers. As of the fall of 2005, $1 million dollars in funding has been granted for loan repayment, ‘Grow Your Own,’ and locum tenens projects. With additional funding from The Colorado Trust, and by expanding eligible providers to include dental health, mental health professionals and pharmacists, CROP begins a new era.
Click Here for CROP Grant Recipient Stories
Click Here for the CROP Photos Page
Click Here for the CROP Event Main Page
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