Newly awarded federal funding will allow UI Health Care to train more than 70 additional physicians once the program is fully implemented
University of Iowa Health Care will expand physician training programs across the state following federal approval of Iowa’s Medicaid Graduate Medical Education (GME) supplemental payment program – a critical step in addressing Iowa’s growing physician shortage.
Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Thursday that it has secured approximately $49.5 million in additional annual federal funding to expand physician residency training programs across all 13 of the state's teaching hospitals. Once fully implemented, the program is expected to create 128 new residency positions statewide, with UI Health Care projected to train 76 additional physicians.
The funding helps offset the cost of training physicians, allowing hospitals to grow residency programs aligned with the state’s greatest health care needs, and it comes at a pivotal time. Nationally, the United States is projected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, and Iowa currently ranks 44th in physicians per capita. Despite strong training programs, Iowa faces persistent workforce challenges, particularly in rural communities.
“This investment is ultimately about ensuring that every Iowan – no matter where they live – has access to high-quality care,” said Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “As the state’s only comprehensive academic medical center, UI Health Care plays a central role in training the next generation of physicians who will serve Iowans for decades to come. Expanding residency opportunities is one of the most effective ways we can strengthen Iowa’s physician workforce and improve access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas where physician shortages are most acute.”
UI Health Care provides the most residency and fellowship programs in Iowa and plays a central role in training the next generation of physicians. Today, nearly half of Iowa’s physicians were trained at UI Health Care, but gaps remain. Iowa produces more medical school graduates than it has residency positions, leaving many new physicians to complete training elsewhere.
“Training more physicians here in Iowa is one of the most impactful steps we can take to improve access to care,” said Jamieson. “Where physicians train is a strong predictor of where they ultimately practice, so expanding our physician training programs will increase the likelihood of more physicians staying in Iowa.”
UI Health Care will work with Iowa HHS and other teaching hospitals across the state over the coming months on implementation.