The Need

The need for increasing the Texas physician workforce is critical. Texas faces a shortage of 10,000 physicians by 2032, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. This crisis is expected to worsen as the population of older adults grows and current physicians retire—more than 2 of 5 currently active U.S. physicians will be 65 or older within the next decade, according to the Association of American Medical College. The issue is exacerbated by the limited number of residency positions nationwide, which are needed to train qualified medical school graduates.

As the largest not-for-profit health system in Texas, Baylor Scott & White is uniquely positioned to address these challenges in physician shortages. In the next 10 years, Baylor University Medical Center’s graduate medical education program will train more than 3,000 physicians. The impact this program will have on the future health and well-being of our communities cannot be underestimated—according to recent statistics, 65% of residents and fellows who train in Texas remain in Texas to provide care for its citizens.

Funding for graduate medical education is very complex and somewhat limited, making the role of philanthropy critical in sustaining and growing these programs.

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