The Independence Blue Cross (IBX) Foundation announced its newest community health initiative and a major step toward addressing the nation’s growing physician shortage with funding to Drexel University College of Medicine for an accelerated medical degree (MD) pathway. The three-year MD pathway at Drexel University College of Medicine is the first among medical schools in southeastern Pennsylvania, where 1 in 6 U.S. physicians receive training, and only the second among medical schools in the state. These programs are part of a growing network of more than 30 medical schools nationwide participating in the Consortium of Accelerated Medical Pathway Programs (CAMPP), which prepares physicians to enter clinical practice sooner. Drexel University College of Medicine plans to enroll medical students into the accelerated MD pathway program beginning in 2028 or 2029, eventually growing enrollment to 50 students within 5 years.
“Everyone should care about the future health workforce. It continues to be a priority of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation – from our leadership and innovation in nursing to the work of our Community Health Institute to transform medical education” said Heather Major, IBX Foundation executive director. “With the nation’s best schools and world-class medicine at our doorstep, the Philadelphia region has the responsibility and opportunity to train and retain more primary care physicians to care for our communities.”
“The primary care workforce shortage is real” said Leon McCrea II, MD, MPH, vice dean for educational affairs at Drexel University College of Medicine. “The accelerated MD pathway at Drexel University College of Medicine is focused on designing the right education to prepare students for the future of primary care and bring them into medicine faster. We’re doing it in a way that helps them stay and practice in communities for the long term.”
For more on Drexel’s three-year MD program, read the full story in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
