Glossary of Acronyms

As you're reading your NHSC literature, does it sometimes feel like you're decoding high-level, cryptic correspondence between secret agents? It's true, we're big on acronyms, but fortunately you don't need a secret decoder ring to make sense of it all — this section should help demystify some of the jargon.

• AAB: Application and Awards Branch
• AHEC: Area Health Education Center
• AIB: Application Information Bulletin
• BHPR: Bureau of Health Professions
• BLS: BL Seamons & Associates (the NHSC logistics contractor)
• BOP: (Federal) Bureau of Prisons
• CHC: Community Health Center
• DCW: Data Collection Worksheet
• DFO: (NHSC's) Division of Financial Operations
• DIB: Deferment Information Bulletin
• DHHS: Department of Health and Human Services
• DNHSC: Division of National Health Service Corps
• DRF: Deferment Request Form
• FAQ: Frequently Asked Question
• FQHC: Federal Qualified Health Center
• GPO: Government Printing Office
• HPOL: Health Professionals Opportunities List
• HPSA: Health Professions Shortage Area
• HRSA: Health Resources and Service Administration (part of Health and Human Services)
• INS: Immigration and Naturalization Service
• IS/IT: In School/In Training
• IHS: Indian Health Service
• ISSB: In Service Support Branch
• LCB: Legal & Compliance Branch
• LOA: Leave of Absence
• LRP: Loan Repayment Program
• MHC: Migrant Health Center
• NRSA: National Research Service Awards
• ORC: Other Reasonable Costs
• PPO/PPA: Private Practice Option/Private Practice Assignment
• PHS: (U.S.) Public Health Service
• PTIQ: Professional Training and Information Questionnaire
• R&R: Recruitment and Retention
• RTSC: Recruitment Training and Support Center
• SEARCH: Student/Resident Experiences And Rotations in Community Health
• SIAB: Site Identification and Application Branch
• USMLE/COMLEX: United States Medical Licensing Examination/Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Examination