UC Regents To Consider New Medical School at UC-Merced
In January, the UC Board of Regents will vote on a proposed medical school for UC-Merced, a move that university officials hope will reduce a shortage of health care workers in the San Joaquin Valley, the Modesto Bee reports.
According to a report by UC-Merced, there are 87 primary care physicians for every 100,000 residents in the region, compared to a statewide average of 126 doctors.
The university has submitted a preliminary proposal and business plan that is being reviewed by campus faculty and medical school experts.
Under the plan, the school would begin enrollment in 2013, with the first graduating class in 2020. The medical school would partner with UC-San Francisco's main campus and Fresno campus, as well as with UC-Berkeley.
Students would complete the majority of work and internships in Fresno during the first few years of the school.
If approved, UC-Merced would have to raise $100 million in startup costs.
The university has no plans to include a teaching hospital (Hatfield, Modesto Bee, 11/16).