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behavioral health hospital, emergency departments, physician practices, and outpatient facilities.“ We’ ve grown into a comprehensive health system and continue adding specialized services so people don’ t have to leave the region for care.” Those services center on oncology, neurosciences, cardiovascular care, women’ s health, and orthopedics. But the project that will have perhaps the most far-reaching impact is a new medical school, a partnership with the University of Mary Washington.
Mary Washington Healthcare and the University of Mary Washington are proposing a medical school to create a new pathway for health care professionals across Virginia.“ We’ re looking to do something novel as a public-private partnership to create a pipeline not only for our region of physicians but for the state.” The new school will collaborate with residency and nurse practitioner programs as well as partnerships that encourage students from underserved communities to pursue medicine.“ This really is going to be a school that’ s for Virginians, to serve Virginians.”
The proposed school addresses shortages at their source rather than at the point of hire. It’ s a long game.“ I’ m optimistic we’ re building something that will continue serving this region for generations. Its impact will extend well beyond my time here.”
Behavioral health faces a severe shortage of providers. To help close that gap, the health system integrates behavioral health services into primary care, has developed a psychiatry residency program, and plans to expand mental health facilities.“ It is extremely difficult to hire mental health providers. There is a significant shortage across the US.” 30