Program offers free med school for 5 years in rural Hawaii
Misty Kahale, a Molokaʻi native and medical student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, faced a daunting financial future with an expected $300,000 in student debt. However, a new state initiative is offering a path to eliminate that burden in exchange for a commitment to serve the community.
The Hawaiʻi Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resourced Neighborhoods (HOME RUN) workforce pipeline program provides free tuition and fees for students pursuing careers in healthcare or health information technology. Starting in September, awardees can have their training costs covered at a university of their choice.
The Terms of the Trade
The program is funded by a portion of a $188.9 million federal grant designed to transform rural healthcare. For the current fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, $28 million has been allocated to these tuition payments.
In exchange for the funding, recipients must pledge to work full-time in rural Hawaiʻi for five years following their graduation. This requirement is intended to root professionals in areas where physicians and nurses are currently in short supply.
Addressing a Critical Shortage
The urgency of the program is underscored by a growing physician gap, which stood at 833 full-time doctors in 2025 when accounting for geography. On Molokaʻi specifically, research by Dr. Kelley Withy indicates that the doctor supply needs to grow by 83% to meet patient demand.
Rural Hawaiʻi is defined as any of the neighbor islands, as well as specific areas on Oʻahu, including Waiʻanae, Wahiawā, Waimānalo, Hauʻula, Lāʻie, Kahuku, Haleʻiwa and Waialua.
Governor Josh Green, who aims to eliminate the state’s medical workforce shortage by 2030, notes that high housing costs often make it nearly impossible for new graduates to pay back education debt while securing a home.
Impact on Aspiring Professionals
For students like Katlyn An, an aspiring family nurse practitioner, the grant provides essential stability. As the primary income source for her parents and siblings, the award allows her to prioritize education without overwhelming her family financially.
Similarly, Jose Labrada, a first-generation Cuban American pursuing a doctoral degree in occupational therapy, views the trade-off as fair. Coming from a low-income household, the ability to study without the burden of loans is a transformative opportunity.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While the HOME RUN program is a major step, other initiatives are already in place. This includes a $10 million gift from Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg for students committing to Kauaʻi, and a statewide effort that has partially repaid loans for over 900 professionals.
However, the healthcare landscape remains volatile. Changes in how insurers reimburse primary care doctors may threaten the stability of small rural practices already struggling with costs.
Looking ahead, the program could make a sizable dent in the workforce problem, but it may not be a complete solution. To prevent medical workers from relocating to higher-paying states with lower costs of living, healthcare salaries in Hawaiʻi may also need to increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HOME RUN program?
It is a workforce pipeline program that covers tuition and fees for students pursuing healthcare or health information technology degrees in exchange for a five-year work commitment in rural Hawaiʻi.
Who is eligible for the grant?
The program is available to students pursuing any career in healthcare or health information technology at a university of their choice.
What areas are considered “rural Hawaiʻi” under this project?
Rural areas include all of the neighbor islands and the Oʻahu communities of Waiʻanae, Wahiawā, Waimānalo, Hauʻula, Lāʻie, Kahuku, Haleʻiwa, and Waialua.
Do you believe that offering free tuition is enough to encourage new doctors to practise in remote rural areas?