Work on Proposal for New UC Medical School Under Way
A business plan detailing the development of a new medical school at UC's Merced campus could be finished as early as June, campus officials say, the Merced Sun-Star reports. Supporters of the effort say it could help alleviate a shortage of physicians in the Central Valley of California, where the ratio of physicians to residents already is below the statewide average.
The plan will:
- Identify area clinics that would partner with the proposed medical school;
- Lay out a timeframe for developing the school; and
- Forecast the likely economic impact of the school on the region.
Brandy Nikaido, spokesperson for medical education planning at UC-Merced, said the proposal will need approval from the UC president and the board of regents. She said campus officials plan to submit the business plan to UC President Robert Dynes by June.
Joan Voris, associate dean of the Fresno Medical Education Program, said the board of regents could consider the proposal by fall 2007 (Patton, Merced Sun-Star, 2/18). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.