New Jersey ranks 37th nationally in the rate of medical students relative to its population – just 24.4 per 100,000 residents. Today’s opening of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University aims to address that and other physician supply issues in New Jersey.
Gov. Murphy and other dignitaries gathered for today’s ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The first class of 55 medical students will begin courses in July.
“We are so proud to see this vision reach fruition and deliver on our goal to change medical education to better prepare physicians of the future,’’ said Hackensack Meridian co-CEO Robert Garrett.
Hackensack Meridian officials note that research shows that physicians often practice where they train, which would help the state ease a shortage of an estimated 3,000 doctors in New Jersey by 2020. The new medical school also aims to prepare physicians for the future of healthcare delivery, including the transition to value-based care and population health.
New Jersey now is home to five medical schools, and the need is great. According to the Association of America’s Medical Colleges’ 2015 data, New Jersey’s rate of 24.4 medical students per 1,000 residents lags well behind New York (51.5) and Pennsylvania (63.5)
Added NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett, “Not only is New Jersey’s population aging, our physician workforce is as well. About one-third of New Jersey’s active physicians are age 60 or older. We welcome the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University and the important role it will play in growing the physician workforce of New Jersey’s future.”