2008 Woodie Awards
Job statistics support medical school
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
Central Michigan University's push for a medical school received some statistical support from the Michigan Department of Community Health.
The department reported 41 percent of Michigan doctors are not planning on practicing medicine in the next decade.
That number may assist CMU in achieving a medical school, said Kim McCoy, vice president of quality and physician services for Central Michigan Community Hospital.
"It's tougher to recruit," McCoy said. "We need more physicians."
McCoy said the trend in the number of medical staff members leaving CMCH are accurate with the report.
If CMCH loses medical staff, more doctors will be needed to replace those retiring or moving to different areas, McCoy said.
With a medical school at CMU, McCoy said more doctors likely would stay in the mid-Michigan area. That would allow CMCH the ability to grow and expand its services to patients, she said.
"It would increase our opportunity to recruit," she said.
In a Dec. 7 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Michael Whitcomb of the Association of American Medical Colleges told the board the closest city with sufficient facilities would be Saginaw.
The Department of Community Health said its report shows doctors usually stay in the area where they attend school.
Steve Smith, director of media relations, said the plan for the medical school has not advanced since the Board of Trustees met in December.
"There's not much to report (on forming a medical school)," Smith said. "The feasibility report is still ongoing."
The Board of Trustees began considering a medical school last April, when Trustee Sam Kottamasu brought the idea to the board.
McCoy said CMU and CMCH have talked about working together with the medical school if it becomes a reality.
"We've been working back and forth," she said. "We would very much be interested in working with CMU."
Smith said CMU has been in talks with several health facilities in the area to determine the feasibility of a medical school.
The Board of Trustees is looking for input from students and the community on the medical school.
However, ideas have been few, Smith said.
"I haven't been aware of much input from students," he said.
Harbor Beach senior Darrick Graham said a medical school would help CMU gain more attention in the mid-Michigan area.
Graham said there are just a few medical schools in Michigan.
"There is no other smaller school."
Smith said he was not sure when the Board of Trustees will next discuss the medical school idea.
news@cm-life.com
The department reported 41 percent of Michigan doctors are not planning on practicing medicine in the next decade.
That number may assist CMU in achieving a medical school, said Kim McCoy, vice president of quality and physician services for Central Michigan Community Hospital.
"It's tougher to recruit," McCoy said. "We need more physicians."
McCoy said the trend in the number of medical staff members leaving CMCH are accurate with the report.
If CMCH loses medical staff, more doctors will be needed to replace those retiring or moving to different areas, McCoy said.
With a medical school at CMU, McCoy said more doctors likely would stay in the mid-Michigan area. That would allow CMCH the ability to grow and expand its services to patients, she said.
"It would increase our opportunity to recruit," she said.
In a Dec. 7 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Michael Whitcomb of the Association of American Medical Colleges told the board the closest city with sufficient facilities would be Saginaw.
The Department of Community Health said its report shows doctors usually stay in the area where they attend school.
Steve Smith, director of media relations, said the plan for the medical school has not advanced since the Board of Trustees met in December.
"There's not much to report (on forming a medical school)," Smith said. "The feasibility report is still ongoing."
The Board of Trustees began considering a medical school last April, when Trustee Sam Kottamasu brought the idea to the board.
McCoy said CMU and CMCH have talked about working together with the medical school if it becomes a reality.
"We've been working back and forth," she said. "We would very much be interested in working with CMU."
Smith said CMU has been in talks with several health facilities in the area to determine the feasibility of a medical school.
The Board of Trustees is looking for input from students and the community on the medical school.
However, ideas have been few, Smith said.
"I haven't been aware of much input from students," he said.
Harbor Beach senior Darrick Graham said a medical school would help CMU gain more attention in the mid-Michigan area.
Graham said there are just a few medical schools in Michigan.
"There is no other smaller school."
Smith said he was not sure when the Board of Trustees will next discuss the medical school idea.
news@cm-life.com
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