News & Information - The Mercury - April 2008 Mercury

Recruiting Command

The Army Medical Department has created a new $20,000 Critical Skills Accession Bonus (CSAB) incentive for medical and dental students who are accepted into the Army's F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).

The Health Professions Scholarship Program provides students with the full cost of tuition, school related fees and books and a stipend of more than $1,900 per month, effective July 1, 2008, to continue their education toward becoming medical or dental professionals. The CSAB is a one-time $20,000 sign-on bonus (less tax) for students who meet the requirements of and are accepted into the HPSP program. Acceptance of the bonus includes a four-year active duty and four-year Reserve service obligation, which can be fulfilled concurrent with service obligations related to HPSP upon completion of residency programs and becoming licensed to practice.

Graduates of HPSP can finish school debt-free and become a member of one of the most comprehensive and dynamic health-care organizations in the world, the Army Health Care Team. In addition, residents and graduates gain unparalleled practical experience that puts them years ahead professionally of their civilian counterparts.

"Army Health Care through its scholarship program provides students with a first-rate medical and dental education, advanced training and experience as a member of the best health-care team in the world," said Col. Rafael Montagno, commander U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade. This accession bonus will further help attract top talent to Army medicine and dentistry, and support students in achieving their educational goals.

The Army's scholarship program provides benefits during school and after graduation for those planning a career in health care or who are currently enrolled in a graduate medical or dental program. In addition to a full tuition scholarship to the medical or dental school of choice, the program pays for required books, non-expendable equipment, other academic fees and a monthly stipend that is adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. Upon graduation and entry onto active duty, Medical and Dental Corps officers receive increases in salary and new opportunities for a broad range of residencies, fellowships and special pay incentives.

For more information about HPSP and the Critical Skills Accession Bonus, see www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp or phone 800-USA-ARMY (800-872-2769).

Army Health Care Professionals work with the latest high-tech equipment, technology and life-saving trauma equipment. In addition, physicians are free to concentrate on caring for patients and developing innovative new techniques and procedures rather than administrative business tasks such as processing insurance claims or building a client base.

Graduates of the HPSP program receive all the benefits of active duty officers including:

• Paid continuing education courses, seminars and conferences
• No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your Family
• A comfortable home on-post or a generous housing allowance if you live off-post
• Opportunities to travel throughout the world
• Attractive retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
• A flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401k
• 30 days of vacation earned each year
• Rank and privileges of an Army officer
• Low-cost life insurance

From nurses and entomologists to veterinarians, dietitians and physicians, Army Health Care offers more than 90 professional health care career paths—more than any other military service.

Army Health Care annually employs more than 73,500 active-duty professionals and 72,000 Reserve Soldiers who interact with more than 200,000 patients in an average day. The Army's Health Care system is an $8 billion per year venture, employing 145,000 people and managing the care of three million beneficiaries. The active Army Medical Team is augmented by a Reserve Component, comprised of health-care professionals in Reserve units throughout the United States and abroad.

One of the largest health-care networks in the world, AMEDD operates more than 600 world-renowned hospitals, clinics and facilities around the globe. AMEDD encompasses six corps: Dental, Medical, Medical Service, Medical Specialist, Nurse and Veterinary.

From the April 2008 Mercury, an Army Medical Department publication.