Month: April 2025

Physician Shortages in the Rural Midwest: Why Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma Hospitals Are Struggling to Fill Critical Roles

Posted on April 30, 2025 by admin admin

Rural hospitals across the Midwest—particularly in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma—are facing an escalating crisis: not enough doctors to meet their communities’ needs. From ER physicians to family medicine providers, the shortage is putting significant strain on healthcare systems that already operate with limited resources.

At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we work with rural hospitals every day to bridge this growing gap, ensuring critical care continues where it’s needed most. Here’s what’s driving the shortage—and how facilities can respond.

A Worsening Trend in Physician Availability

Physician shortages are not a new issue, but they are intensifying in rural America. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the U.S. could face a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. For rural areas, this national shortage hits harder and faster.

In states like Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, many counties have only one hospital—or none at all. Recruiting physicians to live and work in these areas has become increasingly difficult due to factors such as:

• Lack of access to urban amenities
• Fewer opportunities for physician spouses
• Isolation and long commutes
• Increased workload and call demands

The result? Many hospitals are seeing longer patient wait times, overworked staff, and in some cases, closures of key departments.

How Rural Hospitals Are Being Impacted

Hospitals in the Midwest depend heavily on family medicine physicians, emergency physicians, hospitalists, and primary care providers. When these roles go unfilled:

• Patients delay or skip care due to lack of access
• Staff burnout leads to higher turnover
• ERs must divert patients to distant facilities
• Revenue declines, jeopardizing hospital sustainability

This is especially critical in underserved counties where the hospital may be the only healthcare provider within 50 miles.

Momentum’s Approach to Filling Rural Gaps

At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we understand the unique challenges facing rural hospitals—and we’ve developed proven strategies to help.

We offer:

✅ Flexible recruiting solutions tailored for rural needs
✅ Heavily discounted rates for the first 10 placements
✅ A 90-day replacement guarantee for every provider
✅ Nationwide reach—with a focus on permanent placements where they matter most

Our team has deep experience working with hospitals across Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, providing physicians who are not only qualified but committed to serving in rural communities long-term.

Whether you’re trying to fill a family medicine position in rural Kansas or need a general surgeon in central Nebraska, we can help you find the right provider faster.

 

Why Physicians Are Saying “Yes” to Rural Roles (When Approached the Right Way)

While many providers hesitate to work in remote areas, that doesn’t mean they won’t consider it. At Momentum, we specialize in finding the right match between physician lifestyle preferences and rural opportunities.

We highlight:

• Competitive salaries and loan repayment programs
• The chance to make a visible impact
• Lower cost of living
• Supportive hospital environments

When these factors are framed properly, many physicians are willing to relocate or return to rural hometowns.

Partner With Momentum to Secure Your Staffing Future

The physician shortage in the rural Midwest isn’t going away—but your staffing crisis doesn’t have to continue. Partnering with Momentum Healthcare Staffing gives your facility access to dedicated recruiters, personalized outreach, and a vast network of healthcare providers ready to serve where they’re needed most.

If your hospital in Kansas, Nebraska, or Oklahoma is struggling to fill critical roles, contact us today to learn more about our flexible, affordable staffing solutions.

 

Cities Most Affected by Rural Physician Shortages

Momentum Healthcare Staffing frequently works with hospitals and clinics in underserved communities such as Goodland, KS; Valentine, NE; and Idabel, OK. Other rural areas in need of physicians include:

• Kansas: Hays, Dodge City, Parsons, Liberal, Colby
• Nebraska: McCook, Chadron, Alliance, Ord, Sidney
• Oklahoma: Guymon, Altus, Woodward, Ada, Duncan

If your hospital serves one of these areas—or similar rural communities—reach out to us today. We’re here to help.

 

Need Help Now?
Explore our Healthcare Staffing Services or request a consultation with our team.

 

 

Rural Healthcare in Crisis: Why States Like Kansas, Texas, and New Mexico Are Facing Alarming Physician Shortages

Posted on April 20, 2025April 30, 2025 by admin admin

Across the United States, rural hospitals are facing a shared—and growing—challenge: not enough physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers (APPs) to care for the communities that need them most. This shortage is especially acute in rural parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, and New Mexico, where many counties have only one healthcare facility—or none at all.

At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we specialize in recruiting high-quality providers who are ready to serve in underserved areas. Here’s a breakdown of what’s causing the provider shortage—and how we’re helping hospitals overcome it.

The Widening Rural Provider Gap

Nationwide, the U.S. is facing a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the AAMC. But that shortage doesn’t affect all communities equally.

Rural states like these are particularly hard-hit:

• Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma – Struggling to recruit hospitalists, ER doctors, and family physicians in sparsely populated counties
• Texas – Facing an alarming shortfall in both primary care doctors and psychiatrists across rural counties
• Mississippi – Has one of the lowest physician-to-patient ratios in the country
• New Mexico – Despite giving NPs full authority since 1993, provider shortages remain critical in rural regions

Shortages by the Numbers

Here’s what the data shows about specific needs across these six states:

Texas

• Primary Care Shortage: 3,375 FTEs projected shortage by 2030
• Psychiatrists: Shortage expected to grow to over 1,200 by 2030
• 435 Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) across the state

Source: Texas DSHS

Mississippi

• Among top three states with highest physician shortage ratios
• Over 50% of residents live in a primary care HPSA

Source: Floridians for Dental Access

New Mexico

• Physician shortage to worsen from 57 to 101 per 100,000 residents by 2030
• Rural residents face long delays despite NPs having full practice authority

Source: Rio Grande Foundation

Why It’s So Hard to Hire in These Areas

Rural hospitals face a tough reality: attracting providers to live and work in remote areas is difficult due to:

• Limited amenities and schooling options
• Isolation and poor access to specialty training
• Lower Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements
• Fewer local medical residency programs
• Lifestyle concerns for provider spouses

Momentum’s Proven Rural Placement Strategy

At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we’ve built a system designed specifically for rural and underserved hospitals.

✅ Affordable rates (with deep discounts on your first 10 placements)
✅ 90-day replacement guarantee
✅ Personalized recruiting across all specialties
✅ Permanent and temp-to-perm options for physicians, NPs, and PAs

We take the time to find candidates who want to stay—not just fill a shift.

Areas Most in Need of Physicians

Here’s a sample of cities and towns currently facing critical provider shortages:

Kansas: Colby, Liberal, Hays, Dodge City, Parsons
Nebraska: Valentine, McCook, Broken Bow, Chadron, Alliance
Oklahoma: Guymon, Altus, Woodward, Ada, Duncan
Texas: Uvalde, Dumas, Jasper, Raymondville, Alpine
Mississippi: Clarksdale, Kosciusko, McComb, Forest, Brookhaven
New Mexico: Gallup, Silver City, Deming, Artesia, Truth or Consequences

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

If your hospital is located in any of these rural communities—or serves a similar population—you don’t have to handle recruiting alone. Momentum Healthcare Staffing is ready to match you with the physicians and advanced practice providers you need to keep your facility strong and your community healthy.

📞 Call us at (877) 558-3782 or contact us here to discuss how we can support your staffing goals.

 

 

Bridging the Gap: How Momentum Healthcare Staffing Supports Rural and Specialty Healthcare Providers

Posted on April 4, 2025 by admin admin

In today’s healthcare landscape, staffing challenges are a growing concern, particularly for hospitals, Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, and clinics in rural communities. At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we specialize in addressing these critical gaps — not just by filling positions, but by building lasting connections between skilled providers and the communities that need them most.

Meeting the Needs of Underserved Areas

Rural and remote healthcare facilities often face higher turnover rates and longer hiring timelines than their urban counterparts. Specialty physicians such as cardiologists, psychiatrists, orthopedists, and OB-GYNs are in especially short supply in these areas. Momentum Healthcare Staffing is uniquely positioned to help.

We understand the complexities of rural healthcare — from limited access to specialists, to the increased strain on general practitioners. Our team works closely with hospitals, critical access facilities, Indian Health Services (IHS), community clinics, and VA medical centers to place physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who are not only qualified but also committed to making a difference.

A Tailored, Human-Centered Approach

What sets Momentum apart is our focus on creating long-term success for both providers and employers. We take time to understand the culture and specific needs of each facility, especially in rural settings where fit is everything. Our in-depth screening process and responsive support ensure that candidates are not only clinically excellent, but adaptable and community-oriented.

Whether it’s a full-time cardiologist for a regional hospital or a locum tenens psychiatrist for a rural mental health clinic, our placements are thoughtful and strategic. We believe great healthcare starts with great relationships — and we’re here to help build them.

Supporting All Specialties, With a Focus on Hard-to-Fill Roles

Specialty roles are often the hardest to staff, especially outside of major metro areas. Momentum Healthcare Staffing has built a national network of board-certified specialists ready to serve in high-demand fields such as:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Emergency Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Pediatrics
• Anesthesiology

Our recruiting team leverages both technology and personal outreach to match the right professionals with facilities that align with their values and career goals.

Why Healthcare Providers Choose Momentum

Healthcare employers work with Momentum because we provide:

• Speed without compromise – Quick turnaround times on placements without sacrificing candidate quality
• Credentialing support – We streamline onboarding and credentialing so providers are ready to work sooner
• Nationwide reach, local focus – A broad candidate pool combined with attention to regional regulations and community needs
• Custom staffing solutions – We offer permanent, temporary, and locum tenens staffing options

For providers, we offer flexibility, transparency, and opportunities that align with their personal and professional aspirations — including the chance to make an impact in rural communities where they’re needed most.

Let’s Build What’s Next in Healthcare — Together

The demand for healthcare professionals isn’t slowing down, and neither are we. At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we’re not just filling jobs — we’re filling critical care gaps, one provider at a time.

If you’re a hospital administrator, clinic manager, or medical director struggling to recruit the right talent — especially in specialty care — connect with us today. And if you’re a physician or advanced practice provider looking for your next opportunity, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Explore more at momentumhcs.com and discover how we can bring momentum to your mission.