HSC § 128330

As used in this article:

(a) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Health Professions Education Foundation.

(b) “Council” means the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council.

(c) “Director” means the Director of the Department of Health Care Access and Information.

(d) “Foundation” means the Health Professions Education Foundation.

(e) “Health professions” or “health professionals” means physicians and surgeons licensed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code or pursuant to the Osteopathic Act, dentists, registered nurses, and other health professionals determined by the department to be needed in medically underserved areas.

(f) “Department” means the Department of Health Care Access and Information.

(g) “Underrepresented groups” means populations that are underrepresented in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or other health professions as determined by the department. The department, upon a finding that the action is necessary to meet the health care needs of medically underserved areas, may add a group comprising the economically disadvantaged to those groups authorized to receive assistance under this article. The department shall recognize that it is especially important that medical and dental care be provided in a way that is sensitive to the sociocultural variables that affect a person’s health.