MIDOCs Reaches Milestone of 100 Participating Physicians

Sustained State Funding Needed to Continue This Innovative Primary Care Workforce Program

Recognizing the state faces a physician shortage, in 2017 the Michigan Legislature appropriated funds for developing a plan to establish new residency positions in primary care (family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, general obstetrics/gynecology, preventive care) and other high-need specialties (psychiatry, general surgery).

The following year, funding was appropriated for the MIDOCs (Michigan Doctors Improving Access to Care) program in the state budget, matched by contributions from the four medical school partners (Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine) and federal dollars.

Since the first MIDOCs cohort began its residency training in 2018, 100 physicians have gone through or are currently enrolled in the program. Maintaining state funding is necessary for those currently enrolled to complete their training. Increased funding would enable the program to establish more residency positions.

MIDOCs residents train in hospitals, community clinics, community mental health agencies, and private practices located in primary care and mental health professional shortage areas of the state. Each resident receives up to $75,000 in loan repayment assistance and commits to practicing in an underserved community for two years post-residency.

“This multi-purpose program is not only helping to increase the number of graduate medical education positions, MIDOCs is also training soon-to-be physicians in caring for underserved populations in community-based settings. The end goal: keep resident physicians in Michigan to practice high-need specialties like family medicine,” said Karlene Ketola, MSA, CAE, chief executive officer of Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the MIDOCs advisory council.

MIDOCs aligns with MAFP’s legislative priorities of investing in the primary care workforce and preserving physician-led team-based care so all Michiganders have access to a primary care physician as their usual source of care. Today, 100 million Americans lack a usual source of primary and preventive care, and in Michigan, we need 864 more primary care physicians to maintain the status quo.

As the Michigan Legislature and Governor continue work on the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget, MAFP maintains diligently advocating for sustained funding of MIDOCs.

The summer issue of Michigan Family Physician features the success of MIDOCs as its cover story. The article includes an interview with Dr. Fermin Rankin, a MIDOCS resident who is graduating from Central Michigan University Family Medicine Residency later this month; Dr. Christian Grant, a MIDOCs resident in the class of 2024 at MyMichigan Medical Center-Midland Family Medicine Residency; and Dr. Kristi VanDerKolk, program director at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency program in Kalamazoo. Click here to read about their MIDOCs experiences and how the innovative program is impacting medical education and access to care.