A series of medical schools in southern Florida are undergoing a variety of changes and upgrades in anticipation of an upcoming physician shortage in the state, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Two prominent health groups in Florida believe the state could be short 7,000 physicians by 2025, according to the report. Subsequently, medical schools in the area have started to take action.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the oldest medical school in the region, recently received a $50 million donation from the family of Stuart A. Miller, who serves as chairman of the University of Miami's board of trustees. The funds will be used to create a new medical school complex, replacing existing facilities that are more than 50 years old. Philanthropist Don Soffer also donated $25 million, which will be used at the school's Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute.
Fort Lauderdale-based Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine named Johannes W. Vieweg, MD, a founding dean for its new medical school, which is planned to open in 2018.
Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine began its MD program in 2011. Last year, the medical school graduated its inaugural class of 53 students. It currently has residency agreements with five area hospitals and it is working on adding more.
Miami-based Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine opened in 2009 and currently has 480 students. The medical school has partnered with a number of area hospitals and recently started a new residency program at Miami-based West Kendall Baptist Hospital.
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