The Louisiana Department of Health announced $15 million in funding for universities, technical colleges and health care systems (including hospitals, agencies and hospitals) for programs that train future health care professionals.

Across all physician specialties in the United States, there is a projected shortage of 187,130 full-time equivalent physicians in 2037, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Health Workforce filed in November 2024.

Nonmetro areas will experience greater shortages of physicians than metro areas, according to the same report.

To help narrow the gap, the Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity Fund, or HERO Fund, awards matching grants to programs that work to grow Louisiana’s health care pipeline.

“We are hoping to get applications from eligible institutions and their industry partners to expand programs in high-demand workforce areas, including nursing, allied health and behavioral health,” LDH Undersecretary Drew Maranto said.

The state Board of Regents predicted a shortage of 6,000 registered nurses in Louisiana by 2030.

In addition, the state is experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians. The average ratio of primary care physician to patient in Louisiana was 1,441 people per physician in 2023 — well below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1,000 people per physician. 

The HERO Fund, managed by the Louisiana Board of Regents and HealthWorks Commission, is a volunteer board appointed by the governor. The fund was created in 2021 to increase the capacity of nursing and allied health programs.

The proposals must include a program with education institutions and training programs as well as a partner with health care providers, facilities or a related licensed health care organization in Louisiana.

Regional nonprofit organizations may also be considered as long as it benefits students and health care organizations within the state of Louisiana, according to the online application.

The fund identifies high-demand areas of focus as certified nursing assistants, paramedics, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, certified medical assistants, primary care providers, nurse practitioners, licensed professional counselors, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, radiology technologists and more.

In 2024, state Rep. Brach Myers, R-Lafayette, shifted legislation on the fund program to expand reach and support projects aimed to:

• Meet local, regional or state workforce demands for high-demand health care professions.
• Increase capacity and student enrollment in identified health care credentials.
• Increase program completion and/or exam and certification passing rates.
• Provide incentives that financially support students (stipends or tuition forgiveness) upon employment in Louisiana health care facilities or training programs.
• Provide incentives for high-demand health care professionals to practice in Louisiana with an emphasis on medically underserved areas.
• Support dual enrollment programs between high school and technical programs
• Support strategies for health care organizations to increase career pathways, internships and apprenticeship programs.
• Raise awareness of and interest in a broad variety of health care occupations and reduce the barriers to access to health care programs, including financial barriers. 

“A strong health care workforce is the backbone of a healthy society, ensuring that every community has access to quality care through trained professionals,” Myers said in a statement from LDH.

The deadline for programs, universities, hospitals and health systems to apply is 4 p.m. Jan. 31. LDH plans to announce grant awardees in March.

Visit ldh.la.gov/HERO for applications and information.