Newswise — VINELAND, NJ – South Jersey Healthcare and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine have signed an agreement designating the medical center as a major clinical affiliate of the medical school. The new agreement expands the relationship begun five years ago between the two major health institutions and supports efforts to address the anticipated physician shortage in South Jersey, which could become particularly acute in ways that mirror current trends in other areas throughout the United States. “By 2020, New Jersey is expected to have 2,800 fewer physicians than needed to adequately care for its growing – and aging – population,” said Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, dean of the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine. “At the same time, we know that physicians are more likely to practice in the same area where they receive their training.”
“Partnering with UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine was a natural fit,” said Chet Kaletkowski, SJH President and CEO. “The school draws almost 80 percent of its students from New Jersey, with almost a quarter from the southern counties. Although our residents will be able to practice anywhere in the country, I believe a significant number will choose to provide care in our region after getting to know our hospitals, physicians and employees.”
At any one time, over two dozen third and fourth year students from the medical school are at SJH, gaining valuable clinical experience in family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics and other specialties.
These experiences are especially valuable since the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine has expanded its class size in anticipation of the growing demand for physicians. The current first year class of 162 students represents a 50 percent increase over the typical entering class of just a few years ago.
A recently launched graduate medical education program at SJH will ultimately provide for 100 intern and residency positions in eight specialty areas under the medical school’s Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institute, as well as the nation’s first osteopathic fellowship program in urogynecology. These newly graduated doctors are working side-by-side with SJH physicians, gaining valuable experience and insight. At the same time, they enhance patient care with the knowledge of the latest treatments and philosophies that medicine has to offer.
Media requesting more information should contact Jerry Carey, UMDNJ News Service, at 856-566-6171, or at [email protected], or Diana Gervasi, South Jersey Healthcare, at 856-575-4228 or at [email protected].
About the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) is New Jersey’s only health sciences university with more than 6,000 students on five campuses attending three medical schools, the State’s only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and New Jersey’s only school of public health. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, which provides a continuum of health care services with multiple locations throughout the state.
About South Jersey HealthcareSouth Jersey Healthcare (SJH) is a nonprofit, integrated health care system, providing access to a continuum of health services. SJH provides hospital services, numerous community health clinics, home health services, and specialty services, which serve the medical and health care needs of southern New Jersey residents. Please visit www.SJHealthcare.net to learn more.
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