A $20 million gift from Robert and Myra Kraft, will be used to attract doctors and nurses to Massachusetts community health centers, the cornerstone of the push to reduce health costs and care for newly insured patients. The donors hope that this gift will inspire others to help raise primary care to the forefront of the health care system.

The gift to Partners HealthCare System Inc. will be used to pay off up to $50,000 of the medical school loans of physicians and nurse practitioners, as well as finance fellowships in targeted specialties and for master’s degrees. In return, caregivers must work for two to three years in a health center or other community-based setting to care for needy patients. The gift will create the Kraft Family National Center for Leadership and Training in Community Health to oversee the programs. A portion of the funding will support community-based programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Over the next five years, Partners chief executive Dr. Gary Gottlieb estimates, the Kraft donation will support more than 100 physicians, nurse practitioners, and other providers caring for about 200,000 patients.

For more information: http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2011/01/09/krafts_give_20m_to_draw_doctors_into_community/