Residency training

Utah passes legislation to provide additional state funding for GME programs

Spearheaded by the dean of Noorda-COM, the legislation includes a provision to ensure that both DO and MD applicants are treated equally by programs that receive funding.

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The Utah State Legislature recently passed state graduate medical education (GME) legislation that will provide state funding to create new, and expand existing, medical residency programs in Utah. Spearheaded by John J. Dougherty, DO, founding dean and chief academic officer of the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) in Provo, Utah, the legislation includes a provision to ensure that both DO and MD applicants are treated equally by programs that receive funding. The bill was sponsored by Utah State House Representative A. Cory Maloy.

The AOA commends the excellent work Dr. Dougherty and Noorda-COM put in to make this legislation happen, says AOA CEO Kevin M. Klauer, DO, EJD.

“We’re very impressed with Dr. Dougherty’s and Noodra-COM’s proactive approach to increasing residency slots and funding in Utah,” he says. “They have set a wonderful example that we hope to see other COMs and states follow.”

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine recently spoke with Dr. Dougherty and Rep. Maloy about their work involving this legislation and their advice for how other COMs can work to pass similar legislation. See the full Q&A here.

With Utah being an underserved state relative to GME, the work of Dr. Dougherty and Noorda-COM brings to light the need for innovative approaches to creating new residency positions. The new legislation aligns with Noorda-COM’s mission to encourage more medical students to train and work within Utah and help alleviate the state’s current physician shortage.

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