UMKC School of Medicine to expand program to St. Joseph, address rural physician shortage

The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine is taking a step to help ease the burden of rural physician shortages in Missouri.

In a Wednesday news conference hosted by UMKC, the University made an announcement that it will expand its program to St. Joseph, Mo.

A partnership with Mosaic Life Care as well as a $7 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration are helping to make the expansion possible, 

Attendees of the conference included University and Mosaic Life Care officials, Missouri Senator Roy Blunt and Missouri Representative Brenda Shields.

“The disparities in care in rural areas result in higher rates of death, disability and chronic disease for rural Americans have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expansion of our medical school to the northwestern region of our state will serve to bridge this gap, knowing that students training in rural programs are three times as likely to remain in practice in those areas.” UMKC School of Medicine Dean Mary Anne Jackson said.

Funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a federal agency, was given to make the start of the new UMKC program in Jan. 2021 possible. The project covers part of the agency’s mission, which serves as the primary federal agency for improving access to health-care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

Although the money will not come all at once, HRSA has said it will pay out the grant over four years.

“We are thrilled we will be able to address a critical health-care need in Missouri,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “This will enable more patients throughout the state to get better access to high-quality medical treatment.”