The Kansas Board of Regents heard a report about plans for the KU School of Medicine to expand its medical training programs in Salina and Wichita.
KUMC Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Barbara Atkinson told the regents that once the expansion plans likely pass the accreditation process later this year, the KU School of Medicine will be able to take a major step in addressing the shortage of rural primary care physicians in Kansas.
"One of the things we know is that once a student or a resident experiences practice in that kind of location that they actually like it and are much more apt to stay than if they have only been in cities for their education," said Atkinson.
Atkinson expects it will be 2011 or 2012 when students would begin taking four years of medical training courses in Salina.
First and second year medical students would be allowed to take their medical training courses at the KU School of Medicine at Wichita. Third and fourth year med students are currently able to take courses on the Wichita campus.