A program which places U.S. Public Health Service personnel in areas with a critical shortage of health manpower for the purpose of improving the delivery of health care and services to persons residing in such areas. The Corps was established by the Emergency Health Personnel Act of 1970, as amended by the Emergency Health Personnel Act Amendments of 1972, (section 329 of the PHS Act). The first Corps members were assigned in January, 1972. As of July, 1975, the Corps had a total of 551 health professionals placed in 268 communities in 42 States. The 551 professionals included 325 physicians, 80 dentists, and 146 nurses and other personnel. Of 465 sites approved for assignment of Corps personnel, 448 were rural and 17 were urban.
A federal program to provide financial assistance for persons who are preparing for health professions, and in return obligating them to serve in areas where there is a shortage of health care professionals. They are placed by the U.S. Public Health Service. Also known simply as “The Corps.”