YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Mercy Health and Northeast Ohio Medical University on Monday announced a partnership to expand clinical training opportunities and build a strong pipeline of physicians to serve communities statewide.
NEOMED students will have increased access to Mercy Health’s hospitals and clinical sites in the Youngstown, Lorain and Cincinnati regions, gaining real-world experience, according to a news release.
“This partnership represents a powerful step forward in preparing the next generation of physicians and meeting the health care needs of our state,” said Dr. John Langell, NEOMED president. “NEOMED’s affiliation with Mercy Health brings to life a shared vision to transform medical education and advance health care access.”
NEOMED students get clinical training experience throughout the region, and expanding the rotations to additional sites will give them the opportunity to work with a broad range of patients, strengthen community connections and provide them with exposure to environments where physician shortages are most pressing, the release states.
“Expanding access to care in Ohio starts with training more physicians. By increasing opportunities for hands-on learning within Mercy Health’s hospitals and clinical sites, we’re building a stronger workforce that’s more likely to stay, practice and serve where the need is greatest,” said Dr. John Luellen, state president, Ohio, Mercy Health. “Together with NEOMED, we’re advancing medical education in a way that helps ensure more Ohioans can receive high-quality care close to home.”
The announcement comes shortly after NEOMED welcomed 211 first-year students at a White Coat Ceremony on July 10, the largest class in the history of its College of Medicine.
Research shows that physicians are more likely to stay in areas where they complete their training, and by expanding the opportunities to Mercy Health locations, the partnership aims to encourage more medical students to stay in Ohio, especially in underserved areas, according to NEOMED.
Students will be able to complete clinical rotations in a variety of medical disciplines while learning more about rural and urban hospitals, as well as a variety of clinics, by working at Mercy Health facilities. Mercy Health operates the largest number of hospitals in Ohio, including St. Elizabeth Youngstown and Boardman and St. Joseph Warren.
NEOMED has been expanding its reach across the state, including forming a similar partnership with The Christ Hospital Health Network of Cincinnati last year and University Hospitals two years ago.
Pictured at top: Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.