Pathway to a School of Medicine at UC Merced
Overview
UC Merced, the 10th campus in the University of California system and the first major research university to be established in the United States during the 21st century, is currently developing health sciences research programs and planning medical education programs anticipated to lead to a School of Medicine. These programs are focused on addressing health problems specific to the residents of California’s diverse and growing San Joaquin Valley.
The Need
The San Joaquin Valley, which runs from Stockton to Bakersfield, is rich in cultural diversity and is the nation’s leading agricultural region. However, the area is seriously medically underserved. Access to health care is 31 percent lower in the Valley than in the rest of California. A projected statewide shortage of physicians coupled with a rapidly growing population provides a daunting outlook for healthcare access in the Valley in the future.
Benefits
Human health and health of the environment are inextricably linked. UC Merced’s research programs in biomedical sciences and environmental sciences along with a medical school at UC Merced will provide a multitude of benefits to the San Joaquin Valley and state. In addition to addressing the critical shortage of physicians in the Valley and improving the health status of residents, a UC Merced School of Medicine will have a positive economic impact on the region, will expand educational opportunities for community members as well as ramp up UC Merced’s trajectory toward becoming a top-tier university, which is sure to boost student enrollment.
