Governor Scott Highlights $80 M Graduate Medical Education Program

Press Release

Today, Governor Rick Scott was joined by Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek, as well as officials from Florida International University's College of Medicine and more than a dozen local hospitals to highlight his commitment to graduate medical education through the new Statewide Residency Program. For the first time, hospitals are receiving a supplemental payment specifically for graduate medical education, which was made possible by the $80 million appropriation recommended by Governor Scott in the Florida Families First Budget.

Governor Scott said, "For us to grow more opportunities for Florida families, we must attract and keep our health care professionals here in Florida. More doctors means less wait times, more access to health care services -- and keeping some of our brightest in the Sunshine State. That's why my Florida Families First budget invested $80 million for the Graduate Medical Education programs, which helps hospitals expand their residency programs. In the Broward-Dade region alone, this program will invest $33 million to expand residency programs in 15 hospitals. This program is the first of its kind to coordinate with hospitals on supporting their medical education programs."

"This funding specifically for graduate medical education is another way Governor Scott has demonstrated his commitment to education, health care and jobs," said Secretary Liz Dudek. "It will improve access to and quality of care for all Floridians, expand graduate medical education on an equitable basis, and increase the supply of highly trained physicians statewide."

"As Florida's population continues to increase, Governor Scott is taking important steps to address the need for physicians to serve Floridians in every community," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "We are pleased that the Graduate Medical Education Program continues to expand graduate medical education that will help keep newly trained physicians in Florida."

Through the new Statewide Residency Program, 15 hospitals in Miami-Dade and Broward County will receive more than $33 million of the total $80 million statewide allocation. Funding from the New Statewide Residency Program is available to all hospitals--large and small, urban and rural--so long as they sponsor residents.

"I commend the Governor and the State for this crucial support of graduate medical education. Thirty-three percent of the students in our inaugural class chose to remain in Florida for their residencies after graduating. With the help of initiatives like the Statewide Residency Program, we know we can get more of them to stay and provide much-needed health care to our communities," said John A. Rock, M.D., founding dean and senior vice president for health affairs, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University.

Jack J. Michel, M.D., President and Chairman of the Board, Larkin Community Hospital said, "We applaud Governor Scott for his commitment to Graduate Medical Education and Health Care in Florida. The additional funding recommended by our Governor under the Florida Families First Budget will go a long way in ensuring that Florida Teaching Hospitals will have the resources required to operate quality programs to train the new generation of physicians."

"The future of healthcare relies on the actions and investments we make today," said Stanley Marks, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Memorial Healthcare System. "This program will have the potential to enhance the supply of highly trained physicians statewide and improve access to high quality care, while making a positive impact in the lives of many Florida residents."

Tim Goldfarb, Chief Executive Officer ‎at UF Health Shands and Chairman of the Teaching Hospital Council of Florida said, "The Teaching Hospital Council of Florida, which represents the original six teaching hospitals and largest academic health centers in our state, applauds the efforts of Governor Scott to elevate the importance of graduate medical education through the creation of the Statewide Medicaid Residency Program. Preparing Florida's next generation of doctors and medical personnel is of vital importance as our state faces a looming physician shortage. By shifting focus and resources to residency training positions, Florida will be in a far better position to address our future demand for physicians and ensure our citizens have access to high-quality care."

"As we celebrate 25 years in Florida, Cleveland Clinic Florida appreciates the leadership of Governor Scott and the support of the legislature in making funding for residency programs a reality," said Bernie Fernandez, MD, President of Cleveland Clinic Florida. "As the population in our state grows, funding for medical education programs is a proactive way to address the physician shortages that are projected to occur in the next several years. This allocation will support our efforts to continue educating the next generation of physicians."

Gilda Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer of Westchester General and Southern Winds Hospitals said, "Westchester General and Southern Winds Hospitals provide services to a high number of Medicaid and Indigent patients residing within, and often outside, our service area. The Statewide Medicaid Residency Program has provided a funding source critical to the survival of our training programs and supports our mission to GME -- the training of future physicians for our community and continuation of the programs without industry support (ie., pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of medical devices, and biotechnology companies). We are grateful for the much needed support we have received from this program."

The funding affiliated with the new Statewide Residency Program will ensure Florida medical students can continue their training in the state, increasing the likelihood they will practice medicine in Florida after completion of their education.

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