The purpose of this Act is to establish a program in the Illinois Department of Public Health to upgrade primary health care services for all citizens of the State by providing grants to podiatric medicine residency programs, scholarships to podiatry students, and a loan repayment program for podiatric physicians who will agree to practice in areas of the State demonstrating the greatest need for more professional medical care. The program shall encourage podiatric physicians to locate in areas where health manpower shortages exist and to increase the total number of podiatric physicians in the State. Minority students shall be given preference in selection for scholarships.