UA Phoenix expands medical school class size

This, amid nationwide doctor shortage

PHOENIX, Ariz - A result of increased funding, the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix will expand its class size for the first time since 2012.

AZCentral reports it is in a hope to address the ongoing doctor shortage in Arizona and the rest the nation.

The class expansion is the first since 2012, and will increase the number of students from 80 to 100 in July 2020.

The school was primarily designed to graduate 120 physicians per year, according to school Dean, Guy Reed, who says this move towards 100 is a significant step forwards.

Disinterest in the medical field wasn't the reason-- A lack of funding to expand the class size had kept the class size at 80.

Arizona is meeting just 42% of the needed number of primary care providers, a direct reflection of the nationwide shortage.

Though the increase in class size may seem small, that's 20 more doctors to be available in the workforce, which is what makes a difference.