MARQUETTE, Mich. — Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, in conjunction with Marquette General Health System, is expanding the college's Rural Physician Program, increasing the number of medical students training each year in the Upper Peninsula.
Since 1974, the college has been training medical students in the U.P. Eight to 10 students are accepted annually into the program, spending their third and fourth years of medical school at CHM's Marquette campus. The program now seeks to place up to 16 students per class year at the campus and expand training sites across the region.
"We extend an invitation to the physicians of our Upper Peninsula to join us in teaching the next generation of physicians," said Marsha D. Rappley, dean of the College of Human Medicine. "We also are pleased to strengthen our relationship with Marquette General Health System and Superior Health Partners as we work together to address the physician work force issues of the Upper Peninsula and all of rural America through a quality-driven health care system."
A. Gary Muller, president and chief executive officer of Marquette General Health System and Superior Health Partners, applauded the recent activity and changes.
"The U.P. Campus has succeeded in graduating some extraordinary students and has lent to our solid reputation in the Upper Peninsula as a health care and health education organization," Muller said. "The relationships developed here during their training years have led to numerous physicians staying and practicing medicine here in the U.P. Increasing the number of students should translate directly into increasing the number of physicians who stay and practice."
The announcement came with the additional news of a new campus name and leadership.
Formerly known as the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corp., the expanded training operation will now be known as Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula Region.
Also, William Short has been named the CEO of the corporation, as well as community assistant dean of the U.P. region. Short was most recently the residency director of the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program, for which the organization also is responsible.
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