PHILIPSBURG — As the United States faces a shortage of an estimated 120,000 physicians by 2030, tens of thousands of medical students across the nation and abroad last week learned where and how they’ll be helping to address the problem.
Match Day, as it’s known, now carries increased significance as medical school students match with residencies and fellowships in the United States.
And, with nearly 25 percent of all U.S. doctors graduating from international medical schools (IMGs), those institutions are driving positive change in the U.S. healthcare system.
Adtalem Global Education’s medical schools, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), had 946 students match.
At AUC, located in Sint Maarten, 338 students matched, with representation in hospitals across the United States, but it’s what they do after they match that’s most significant. Sixty percent of AUC graduates choose to practice as primary care physicians, a rate nearly 25 percent greater than graduates of mainland US medical schools, and in the area of the greatest expected doctor shortage (35,000 by 2025). AUC also recently announced the September 2019 launch of a new UK-based medical education program to help bring more doctors into global healthcare systems.
“When they match, AUC students bring their global healthcare experience and viewpoint with them as they make a difference in rural, low-income and shortage regions in the US – addressing workforce needs in critical areas across the country,” said AUC Executive Dean, Heidi Chumley, M.D. “Having a truly global outlook and perspective is increasingly important in our nation’s diverse healthcare community, it’s something that informs our students and drives them to pursue those opportunities to serve their communities.”
Diversity among medical students and physicians is another health care system shortfall. Last year, the graduating classes of each U.S. medical school had, on average, just eight black/African-American students and even fewer Hispanics and Latinos. In spite of these groups accounting for more than 31 percent of the U.S. population, they make up less than 11 percent of US medical school graduates.
RUSM, located in Barbados, is bucking the trend, graduating 83 black/African-American students and 51 Hispanic students last year alone. The medical school has made increasing physician diversity a top priority, focusing on key initiatives like partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the nation to create pathways for underrepresented minority students to attend medical school. The school announced 82 black/African-American students and 61 Hispanic students matched, with the total RUSM match numbers reaching 608.
“RUSM students who matched aren’t just helping to fill the nation’s doctor shortage, they’re helping to drive a necessary shift in physician diversity,” said RUSM Dean and Chancellor, William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP. “Our nation’s medical schools have an obligation to nurture diversity, it is crucial to the well being of under served and underrepresented populations. The low representation of black/African-American and Hispanic doctors contributes to adverse and unequal health outcomes across America, and RUSM is committed to making an impactful change in this important area.”
AUC and RUSM are part of Adtalem Global Education, which also includes Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and Chamberlain University, the largest school of nursing in the United States. Adtalem is a mission-driven workforce solutions provider with institutions and companies around the world, including the US, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Brazil.
About American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. AUC’s mission is to train tomorrow’s physicians, whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement.
Founded in 1978, AUC has more than 6,500 graduates. Dedicated to developing physicians with a lifelong commitment to patient-centered care, AUC embraces collaboration, inclusion and community service. With a campus in Sint Maarten, affiliated teaching hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom, and internationally recognized faculty, AUC has a diverse medical education program for today’s globally minded physician. For more information visit aucmed.edu and follow AUC on Twitter ( @aucmed ), Instagram ( @aucmed_edu ) and Facebook ( @aucmed ).
About Ross University School of Medicine
Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. The organization’s purpose is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Founded in 1978 and located in Barbados, RUSM has more than 14,000 alumni and is committed to educating a diverse group of skilled physicians. RUSM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). For more information, please visit medical.rossu.edu and follow RUSM on Twitter ( @RossMedSchool ), Instagram ( @rossmedschool ) and Facebook ( @RossMedSchool ).
About Adtalem Global Education
The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading global education provider and the parent organization of Adtalem Educacional do Brasil (IBMEC, Damásio and Wyden institutions) American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com and follow on Twitter ( @adtalemglobal ) and LinkedIn.
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