Florida universities launch accelerated six-year medical diploma program

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Amid a rising healthcare provider shortage in Polk County, Florida Polytechnic College and the Orlando Faculty of Osteopathic Drugs have introduced a brand new six-year accelerated medical diploma program designed to fast-track the subsequent technology of medical doctors.

In Polk County , studies present that they've half as many medical doctors, dentists and pediatricians per 100,000 residents than the state common. This scarcity has been linked to a speedy progress within the inhabitants.

In addition they report a notable enhance in emergency room visits linked to non-emergent care and common persistent illness administration as a result of absence of major care entry.

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Innovation, Science and Expertise constructing at Florida Polytechnic College. ((Picture by John Greim/LightRocket by way of Getty Pictures))

With the brand new initiative, college students will have the ability to full each a Bachelor of Science and Physician of Osteopathic Drugs diploma in simply six years — in comparison with the normal eight years (4 for undergrad, 4 for medical college), not together with residency.

The accelerated curriculum will help college students in getting each levels wanted by addressing doctor shortages whereas making medical training accessible.

This system may even promote STEM-medicine integration, cost-effective training, and progressive tutorial partnerships.

Dr. Kiran C. Patel, OCOM’s Founder , and Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly’s President, introduced that they'd signed an settlement to maneuver ahead with the endeavor in July of this yr.

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Drone angle view of Lakeland, Florida in Polk County with Mirror Lake and metropolis skyline. (Michael Warren)

This system will restrict acceptance to twenty high-achieving college students a yr and would require a minimal SAT rating of 1390, an ACT rating of 31, and a GPA of three.5. Nonetheless, a Medical Faculty Admission Check (MCAT) won't be required.

It is a transformative alternative for college students who need to turn into physicians and are keen to start serving their communities. (iStock)

"It is a transformative alternative for college students who need to turn into physicians and are keen to start serving their communities," Stephenson mentioned. "By combining rigorous STEM training with a transparent, accelerated monitor to medical college, we're reimagining what’s doable in well being training and responding to a vital want for extra medical doctors throughout Florida and past. This settlement additionally displays Florida Poly’s 25|30 Strategic Plan’s dedication to construct capability via enhanced partnership growth, strengthening our function as a driver of innovation and influence."

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The hopes of the brand new program are that, by limiting entry to high-achieving college students and eliminating the MCAT requirement, this system will have the ability to produce native physicians sooner, extra affordably, and in better alignment with Florida’s quickly rising healthcare wants.