(a) There is hereby established in the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development the California Medical and Dental Student Loan Repayment Program of 2002.
(b) The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development shall operate the California Medical and Dental Student Loan Repayment Program of 2002 in accordance with, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Increased efforts in educating medical and dental students and medical residents of the need for physicians and dentists in underserved communities, and of programs that are available that provide incentives, financial and otherwise, to practice in settings and areas in need.
(2) Strategic collaboration with California medical and dental schools and postgraduate programs to better prepare physicians and dentists to meet the distinctive cultural and medical needs of underserved populations.
(3) Encourage the University of California and other medical and dental schools to increase the number of medical and dental students and medical residency program positions.
(4) Establish, encourage, and expand programs for medical and dental students and medical residents for mentoring at primary and secondary schools, and college levels to increase the number of students entering the medical and dental sciences.
(5) Administer financial or other incentives to encourage new or experienced physicians and dentists to practice in underserved areas.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1131, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2003.)