NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Hundreds more healthcare professionals in New Mexico are receiving debt relief due to the New Mexico Higher Education Department's (NMHED) Health Professional Loan Repayment Program. Five hundred and twenty-five awardees will receive student loan debt for maintaining a three-year commitment to working in high-need communities across the state. Whooping cough cases nearly double in New Mexico in 2024, NMDOH says The group of recipients is made up of 150 allied health practitioners, 134 mental health professionals, 132 nurses, 94 medical doctors, and 14 dental professionals. According to an NMHED press release, the repayment program is also providing student loan repayments to 745 additional healthcare workers who began receiving debt relief in previous fiscal years. A total of 1,269 health professionals are currently receiving benefits statewide. The release states the Health Loan Repayment program covers more than 25 health occupations and licenses in allied health, dental, medical, and mental health fields. A full list of eligible professions is available at the NMHED website. The program is open to new applicants on March 15 each year.