Program Obligations - UQ - OCS Ochsner Physician Scholars Program

The Ochsner Physician Scholars Program is a program for medical students from The University of Queensland, Ochsner Clinical School. Upon completion of a residency program in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics (dual certification) or Psychiatry, recipients will return to Ochsner Health for five years of employment in recipient specialty. Each recipient is required to enter into an Ochsner Physician Scholar Retention Agreement which is a contractual agreement with Ochsner Health whereby the recipient agrees to practice in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics (dual certification) or Psychiatry for five (5) years at an Ochsner Health facility.

The Ochsner Physician Scholar Retention Agreement sets forth the following:

1. If you fail to complete medical school or if you change your specialty interest prior to graduation you will be required to repay the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 5.5% on the total amount awarded.
2. If you do not successfully match into an ACGME-accredited residency position you will be required to repay the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 5.5% on the total amount awarded.
3. If you match in to an ACGME-accredited residency position in a specialty other than Family Medicine Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care (dual certification) or Psychiatry, you will be required to repay the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 10% on the total amount awarded.
4. If you match in to an ACGME-accredited residency position in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care (dual certification) or Psychiatry but fail to successfully complete your residency you will be required to repay the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 8% on the total amount awarded.
5. If you complete an ACGME accredited residency position in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care (dual certification), or Psychiatry, and choose not to enter employment with Ochsner Health after completing residency you will be required to repay the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 12% on the total amount awarded.
6. If you enter employment with Ochsner Health in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care (dual certification) or Psychiatry, but fail to complete the required five-years of employment:
   1. Completion of less than one year, a penalty payment equal to 100% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 12% on the total amount awarded.
   2. Completion of more than one, but less than two years, a penalty payment equal to 80% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 10% on the total amount awarded.
   3. Completion of more than two, but less than three years, a penalty payment equal to 60% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 8% on the total amount awarded.
   4. Completion of more than three, but less than four years, a penalty payment equal to 40% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 5.5% on the total amount awarded.
   5. Completion of four years, but less than five full years, a penalty payment equal to 20% of the full amount awarded, paid within six months of termination date on the total amount awarded.

Should any of the conditions above take place, the recipient shall be required to execute a Promissory Note whereby the recipient agrees to a repayment schedule which must be completed within 10 years of execution, except for those Scholars that enter employment and leave after four years, but before five full years. Payment penalty in this instance of 20% of the full amount awarded is due within six months of your termination date.