Developing the Workforce to Train Medical Professionals in Maine

From 2012 to 2018, up to 53% of UNE COM’s graduates who completed third year training in Maine community hospitals returned to practice in those communities later, regardless of where they did their residency or where they were from.  Between 75% and 80% of UNE COM graduates who complete their residency in Maine, stay in Maine to practice.  

Currently, our state’s healthcare system can train 115 third-year medical students (70 from UNE’s medical school and 45 from the Tufts Maine track program). Thus, each year, Maine effectively loses the opportunity to retain 108 physicians. There is a similar dearth of residency opportunities in Maine. In the entire State, considering all hospitals and programs, we can only graduate 65 primary care physicians each year: 4 obstetricians, 7 pediatricians, 31 family doctors, 4 psychiatrists, 13 internal medicine, and 4 combined internal medicine-pediatrics. 

This program aims to expand clinical training, residencies and loan repayment for health professionals will incentivize health professions students to train and stay in underserved areas throughout Maine. The opportunities and incentives created by this legislation are critical to retaining students in Maine to practice and contribute to their communities.