TL/DR –
The article argues that the U.S. needs more physicians serving communities with the greatest needs and that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are essential in this effort. The U.S. could face a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036, with access already unequal and health disparities highest in communities most vulnerable to shortages. The author suggests that HBCUs, which have a proven record in producing professionals that understand the communities they serve, are crucial in addressing these disparities, citing the example of Morgan State University’s plan to establish the nation’s first public, nonprofit, M.D.-granting medical school.
American Healthcare Needs More Physicians from HBCUs
The future of America’s healthcare system is reliant on the development of more medical professionals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These colleges are not merely additions to the healthcare system; they are indispensable for its advancement.
HBCUs have played a pivotal role in bridging gaps in healthcare by identifying and nurturing talent that often gets overlooked elsewhere. This is especially vital considering the projected physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036 by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
The Inequality in Physician Access
The physician shortage doesn’t completely capture the disparities in access to healthcare. In Baltimore, for instance, health outcomes can vary greatly based on a person’s zip code. Moreover, data from AAMC reveals that Black physicians represented a mere 5.3% of active U.S. physicians in 2024, highlighting the intersectionality of these issues.
Physicians who comprehend the communities they serve can build stronger trust with patients, leading to better care. This is where HBCU medical schools have always excelled, and America needs more of their contributions.
Fostering a New Health-Education Paradigm
This understanding fuels Morgan State University’s quest to establish the first public HBCU medical school in the U.S. The vision here isn’t just another medical school, but a public, non-profit, M.D.-granting institution that addresses the healthcare challenges of the future.
The goal is to create a new health-education paradigm. Here, students would learn in classrooms, major hospitals, and alongside community organizations and public health programs. This approach recognizes health as a holistic concept, influenced by housing, education, transportation, economy, environment, and societal trust.
Addressing the Affordability of Medical Education
Affordability is a vital component of this vision. Medical education can saddle graduates with massive debt, influencing who can enter the field and the career paths graduates choose post-graduation. The aim is to explore a tuition target of about $30,000 per year, using a sustainable combination of public investment, philanthropy, partnerships, and other resources. Thus, future physicians can choose where they can serve best, not where they can pay their debt fastest.
The plan is to welcome the inaugural class by fall 2030. However, the broader significance of this effort goes beyond Morgan. If America is to address physician shortages, improve health outcomes, and rebuild trust in healthcare, we must rethink how and where we educate physicians.
Ultimately, the measure of success will be the quality of physicians produced, their impact on underserved communities, and the improvement in patient care. HBCUs have been championing this cause for generations and are poised to continue to do so for America’s healthcare future.
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