The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Medicine has been awarded a significant four-year grant of nearly $16 million from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). This substantial funding, amounting to $3.97 million annually, is dedicated to bolstering programs aimed at increasing both the number and diversity of primary care physicians within Kentucky. The ultimate objective is to enhance healthcare access across the state, particularly in underserved communities.
Kentucky is not alone in facing a critical physician shortage, and this issue extends beyond just primary care. A 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a nationwide deficit of physicians, potentially ranging from 37,800 to a staggering 124,000 by 2034. Within Kentucky, the need is particularly acute in rural areas, which account for 61% of the state’s physician shortage. In these rural and underserved regions, primary care physicians often represent the sole point of contact with healthcare professionals for residents, underscoring the pressing need to expand and improve access to these essential doctors.
Dr. Charles “Chipper” Griffith III, Dean of the UK College of Medicine, a board-certified expert in internal medicine and pediatrics, emphasizes the vital role of primary care. “Having practiced primary care for patients of all ages, I’ve witnessed firsthand how crucial it is for individuals to have access to these providers,” Dr. Griffith stated. “A strong relationship with a primary care physician is the first line of defense against both acute and chronic illnesses and injuries. We are not only focused on treating sickness but are proactively involved in prevention by identifying risk factors and conducting disease screenings. In a state grappling with high rates of preventable chronic diseases, improving access to primary care is a fundamental step towards enhancing the overall health of our citizens.”
In recent years, the UK College of Medicine has proactively expanded its reach across Kentucky by establishing regional campuses to address the growing demand for physicians. Now with four locations – Lexington, Morehead, Bowling Green, and Northern Kentucky – the College of Medicine recently celebrated its largest graduating class, demonstrating its commitment to tackling the physician shortage.
These strategic partnerships were instrumental in securing the HRSA grant, which will fuel new primary care initiatives. Led by a collaborative team from the UK College of Medicine and the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education (CICHE), the grant will focus on two key areas: expanding educational pathways to support students interested in pursuing medical school and offering scholarship opportunities for medical students who commit to primary care careers. The overarching goal is not only to increase the number of primary care physicians in Kentucky but also to encourage these new doctors to establish practices in underserved communities after graduation.
Building the Primary Care Pipeline: From Middle School to Medical School
The University of Kentucky has already established several programs designed to progressively guide students interested in medicine, offering increasingly complex educational experiences throughout their pre-med journey. Supported by the HRSA grant, these programs will now place a stronger emphasis on primary care, encompassing family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, and Med/Peds (internal medicine/pediatrics).
Recognizing that the path to medicine begins early, UK’s Area Health Education Center Program (AHEC), a component of CICHE, collaborates with the University of Louisville Health Science Centers and eight regional centers statewide. AHEC supports, trains, recruits, and retains health professionals across Kentucky.
CICHE Director Dr. James Ballard believes that comprehensive preparation for a medical career should commence as early as the eighth grade. AHEC centers across the state play a crucial role in identifying young students, especially those from underserved areas, who show an interest in medicine. These students then receive comprehensive support to achieve their goals, including guidance on high school course selection, college application assistance, STEM enrichment, and mentorship from healthcare professionals.
At the high school level, AHEC provides two free residential summer camps at UK, which will be enhanced and further funded by the HRSA grant. The Summer Enrichment Program, designed for rising high school juniors, offers a three-week immersive experience on campus. Students learn, observe, and engage in hands-on activities with UK faculty, health professionals, and health professions students. This program will now incorporate more mentoring from primary care physicians to provide deeper insights into the roles and functions of primary care within the broader healthcare system.
The Health Researchers Youth Academy takes a similar approach but focuses more on the research aspects of medicine. This residential program connects high school students with researchers, teaches research methodologies, and provides laboratory experience. Students conclude the camp by presenting their research findings through poster presentations. Regarding primary care, the academy will educate students on the vital role of primary care physicians in translational research – demonstrating how basic scientific discoveries are applied to improve patient care.
While CICHE aims to develop health professionals across all specialties, Dr. Ballard emphasizes that their programming will actively promote the advantages of choosing primary care. “We’ve traditionally exposed students to various healthcare professions, but we are now focusing more specifically on primary care. We want to ensure they understand ‘What a primary care physician does, why it’s important, and why it’s a valuable career path for them’,” Dr. Ballard explained. “The impact primary care physicians have, particularly in rural and underserved communities, is immense. We want to demonstrate the significant difference they can make in their communities by choosing this career path.”
For four decades, UK has offered undergraduate-level programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds or disadvantaged communities who are interested in medicine. The Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP), originally established in 1982, was restructured in 2019 into two distinct programs:
- PEPP Scholars: A summer academic enrichment program for rising college freshmen with a strong interest in medicine. It offers opportunities for observation, networking, and volunteering in healthcare settings.
- PEPP-MD: Designed for rising college sophomores aspiring to become physicians. This program provides more focused exposure to the medical profession and assists students in preparing for medical school admissions.
The successful UKMED program, for rising college juniors, facilitates interaction with medical students and physicians and enhances knowledge through specialized skill-development workshops. It aims to attract students to medicine, particularly those from underrepresented groups and rural Appalachia. With HRSA funding, this program will expand to accommodate more students and include an MCAT preparation course.
In addition to strengthening existing pipeline programs, new initiatives funded by the grant include:
- Two postbaccalaureate programs: These programs will assist college graduates in completing medical school prerequisites and/or provide additional support and training to enhance their medical school applications.
- A prematriculation program: Designed to prepare incoming medical students for the demanding medical curriculum and highlight the benefits of pursuing primary care.
- A Primary Care Scholarly Concentration: This will incorporate specialized coursework and an enriched community clinical rotation at a rural teaching health center.
Dr. Wendy Jackson, Associate Dean for Admissions, highlights the impact of these programs. “Our pathway programs offer experiences that cultivate careers in medicine for individuals from diverse backgrounds, while showcasing the opportunities and talent within the UK College of Medicine,” she stated. “The overarching goal is to provide robust experiences to premedical students, strengthening their candidacy and reinforcing their commitment to both medicine and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
Reducing Debt to Encourage Primary Care Physicians
Research indicates that high levels of college debt can deter students from choosing primary care specialties due to the comparatively lower compensation compared to specialized medical fields. These graduates are also less likely to practice in underserved communities.
The HRSA funding will enable the UK College of Medicine to allocate up to $2.88 million annually in scholarships for students demonstrating a commitment to primary care.
These scholarships are structured to significantly reduce the debt burden for future primary care physicians, aiming to halve the debt for 80 students and reduce it by a quarter for an additional 32 students. By easing this financial pressure, the university anticipates more students will be empowered to pursue their passion for rural medicine and serve underserved communities.
“Investing in medical student education through scholarships is not just philanthropy; it’s an investment in the future of healthcare in Kentucky,” stated Dr. Stephanie White, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education at the UK College of Medicine. “This award will be transformative for students aspiring to careers in primary care and eager to make a difference in underserved communities. These scholarships will not only alleviate financial burdens but will also empower dreams and nurture the talents of our next generation of primary care physicians.”
This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,970,759 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
