The University of Maine System is contemplating the establishment of Maine’s first public medical school to address the scarcity of physicians in rural areas. An initial step in this process involves hiring a consultant to evaluate the potential costs and consequences of opening the medical school, which is expected to be affiliated with the University of Maine and Northern Light Health. Support for this initiative has been expressed by the Maine Hospital Association, the Maine Primary Care Association, as well as by state legislators and the governor, who have allocated funding for the study.
UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy expressed gratitude towards Maine policymakers and healthcare leaders for recognizing the university’s role in tackling the state’s healthcare workforce deficiencies, especially prevalent in rural regions. Currently, the University of New England in southern Maine stands as the sole medical school in the state, offering an osteopathic medicine program and the only dental school, working closely with MaineHealth and Maine Medical Center.
President James Herbert of UNE has raised concerns about the potential drawbacks of establishing a new medical school, citing high expenses and the likelihood of many doctors leaving Maine. He pointed out that over half of UNE’s medical students are required to pursue clinical rotations out of state in their third and fourth years due to limited slots in Maine. Subsequently, these students often continue their residencies outside of the state, ultimately choosing to practice where they completed their training, rather than returning to Maine.
In order to retain more physicians in Maine, Herbert emphasized the necessity of creating additional clinical training opportunities for medical students during their schooling and for their residency programs post-graduation. This move is seen as vital in addressing the shortage of healthcare providers in the state’s rural areas and enhancing local access to medical professionals.