The Nevada Health Authority (NVHA) announced it is awarding more than $50 million in grants through the Rural Health Transformation Program to support healthcare workforce development in rural areas.
The funding is divided into three primary categories: provider recruitment and retention ($32.3 million), healthcare apprenticeships and training ($14.3 million), and rural medical residencies ($4.8 million).
The largest portion of the funding, dedicated to recruitment, will support primary care, behavioral health, and specialty providers in several communities, including Elko, Pahrump, Mesquite, and various Tribal reservations.
According to the NVHA, the program saw high demand, with $41.9 million in total funding requests submitted for recruitment and retention alone.
The apprenticeship and training portion will fund the expansion of rural simulation centers, a new Medical Laboratory Scientist program, and nursing apprenticeships.
Additionally, the medical residency investments will establish a new rural obstetrics fellowship, a family medicine residency track in Fallon, and a statewide consortium to help rural hospitals develop future residency programs.
“Ensuring Nevada has a strong healthcare workforce has been central to my work as Governor because access to quality care depends on the people who provide it,” Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a statement.
The grants are financed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, a federal initiative that provides $50 billion nationwide over five years to enhance rural healthcare. Nevada received $180 million in the program’s inaugural year.
Dr. Malinda Southard, NVHA Deputy Director, stated that the investments are intended to align recruitment and training pathways to improve healthcare access in remote locations.
The program also includes funding for K–12 healthcare career pipelines and specialized training in fields such as geriatrics, social work, and public health.
