Primary Care Office
Friendly URL: http://www.mass.gov/dph/primarycare
The Massachusetts Primary Care Office (PCO) promotes the health and well being of Massachusetts residents by increasing access to comprehensive primary care, in medically underserved areas and for under-served population groups. By working collaboratively with Federal, State, and local partners the PCO coordinates resources that address the delivery of comprehensive primary care health services; reduces health disparities, and recruits and retains health professionals in underserved areas. The PCO performs comprehensive analyses of primary care provider capacity and health outcome data to accurately assess the high-need areas, and the potential for federal shortage designation applications, or Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The PCO provides technical assistance to communities seeking HPSA designations and federal 330 funding for community health centers; and provides input on state reimbursement and licensing policies that impact primary care providers. The PCO participates in dialogue and promotes health policies on the state and national levels.
With support from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the PCO administers the State Loan Repayment and J-1 Visa Waiver Programs, and is the state Liaison with the National Health Service Corps, to enhance recruitment and retention of primary care providers in both urban and rural areas.
PCO staff work closely with other initiatives within the Department of Public Health and other State agencies to assure coordination and collaboration among programs.
Topics
- Health Professional Shortage Areas
- J-1 Visas
- Massachusetts State Loan Repayment RFR Information
- Workforce Development Reports
Related Links
- HRSA-Bureau of Health Professions Shortage Designation Information
- Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
- MassAHEC Network
- Medicare Provider Incentive Program
- National Health Service Corps - includes information for clinicians and sites
- State Office of Rural Health
- Office of Oral Health
Contact Information
Julia Dyck, MPH
Director, Primary Care Office
Division of Primary Care and Health Access
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Tel.(617) 624-6060
Fax. (617) 624-6062
Email: julia.dyck@state.ma.us
Nicole Watson
Recruitment and Retention Program Coordinator
Primary Care Office
Division of Primary Care and Health Access
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Tel. (617)624-6051
Fax. (617) 624-6062
Email: nicole.watson@state.ma.us
Lionel White
Data Research Analyst
Division of Primary Care and Health Access
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Tel. (617)624-5508
Fax. (617) 624-6062
Email: lionel.white@state.ma.us
Joan Bohlke, MPP
Health Workforce Analyst
Primary Care Office/MassAHEC Network
Division of Primary Care and Health Access
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Tel. (617)624-5991
Fax. (617) 624-6062
Email: joan.bohlke@state.ma.us
This information is provided by the Office of Primary Care within the Department of Public Health.