UA: Free tuition for med students practicing in rural Arizona
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY)-Â As many rural hospitals in Arizona deal with a large physician shortage, some institutions are starting to aid the disparity.
University of Arizona (UA) officials announced on Friday that a portion of their medical school students will receive free tuition in exchange for practicing in a rural area for at least two years.
AZ Central confirms that the med student's commitment must begin within six years of graduation and completed within 10 years.
Students that don't fulfill the deal will have to repay their tuition.
UA officials say Arizona currently ranks as one of the most under-served states in the country.
This is because many of the doctors Arizona does have choose to work in larger urban areas, like Phoenix and Tucson.
In a written statement, Gov. Doug Ducey said “The University of Arizona Primary Care Physician Scholarship is another example of the innovative steps the state is taking to address this critical workforce shortage facing Arizona and the entire nation."
AZ Central says that with many doctors retiring in the coming years, rural conditions are still projected to worsen.
