https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/health-workforce-supply-and-demand Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Health workforce supply and demand - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://news.uams.edu/2026/03/05/new-mls-extended-program-seeks-to-fill-the-gap-in-rural-medical-laboratories/ Highlights the new Medical Laboratory Sciences Extended Internship Program at an Arkansas university. The program aims to reduce rural medical laboratory staff shortages in Arkansas and nearby states by training local students. An increase in rural lab staff would both speed up lab processing times and decrease the cost of care. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38313 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/a-look-at-cus-pipeline-for-rural-doctors/article_ea5706d7-c29f-40a0-af7f-ab93c51a2a18.amp.html Describes workforce shortages in rural Colorado and a rural-focused program in the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz School of Medicine aiming to reduce those shortages. Highlights the programs attention to rural training and preparing students for family medicine. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38275 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://pennstatehealthnews.org/topics/philanthropy-expands-rural-health-scholars-program-to-address-primary-care-shortages-across-pennsylvania/ Highlights philanthropic support for a rural workforce program at the Penn State College of Medicine. Discusses recruiting rural students into medical programs as a strategy to solve rural workforce shortages, as well as mobile care delivery and innovation to improve access to care for rural residents. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38274 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2026/02/09/how-one-university-trains-and-retains-rural-care Touro University's medical and dental schools have built clinics and workforce pipelines in rural areas of California and New Mexico. The initiative gives students community-based training while increasing healthcare access for patients. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38234 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/governor-signs-two-bills-that-could-boost-emergency-medical-staffing/ South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed a bill protecting nurses who provide care in ambulances and another bill adding firefighters and law enforcement officers to the statutory definition of "ambulance operator." The bills will help improve the continuum of care in rural areas. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38241 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/05/rural-medical-partnership-gives-students-hands-on-experience-aims-address-iowa-provider-shortages/ Describes the experience gained by Iowa medical students in a program aiming to reduce rural physician shortages by exposing students to rural healthcare opportunities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38228 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2026-press-releases/indian-health-service-launches-largest-hiring-effort-in-agency-history/ Announces hiring plans for the Indian Health Service (IHS), noting that filling vacancies in rural and remote locations has the highest priority. Includes information on how to apply for current and future positions. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38205 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2026/01/23/tremendous-resource-new-health-science-education-center-opens-doors-unk-campus/ Highlights a new facility at the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus to expand rural health education. The facility will allow for an interprofessional model of training and team-based care. Discusses recruiting students from rural communities with the goal of addressing workforce shortages in Nebraska and improving rural economies in the state. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38189 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://dailyyonder.com/medical-school-hopes-to-increase-rural-healthcare-workforce-by-embedding-into-a-community/2026/01/20/ Discusses the launch of a new regional campus from the University of Minnesota Medical School. The campus is located in a rural region and aims to increase the number of rural students to address rural physician shortages. Highlights a partnership with a regional healthcare system to support the new campus. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38177 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/01/game-changer-free-medical-flights-start-for-some-neighbor-island-residents/ Highlights a state-funded program offering charter flights for rural Hawaiians with off-island medical appointments. Describes current and projected funding needs for sustainability, physician shortages in rural areas, reimbursement rate challenges driving workforce shortages, and the state's Rural Health Transformation Program plans. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38178 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/22/st-olaf-students-work-as-emts-helping-fill-ambulance-worker-shortage Highlights a college program partnering with a local rural emergency department to hire students as emergency medicine technicians to address workforce shortages. Describes common rural challenges with hiring and retaining EMTs and the benefits of rural hands-on training for the students. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38186 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://blogs.bcm.edu/2026/01/09/addressing-the-shortage-of-registered-nurses-in-rural-america/ Baylor University has conducted a scoping review of rural nursing workforce recruitment and retention programs across the U.S., to address shortages of registered nurses. The study highlights what is being done to support the nurses' rural communities, and which strategies work best. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38159 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.statenews.org/section/the-ohio-newsroom/2026-01-08/this-ohio-pharmacy-professor-is-training-to-bridge-rural-healthcare-gaps Interview with pharmacy professor Emily Eddy, who leads the Rural and Underserved Scholars program at Ohio Northern University in rural Hardin County. She offers thoughts on increasing access to medications in pharmacy deserts. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38158 Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600