Methodist Healthcare Ministries funds new emergency medicine residency program
Dr. Henrich thanks Kevin C. Moriarty (right), president and chief executive officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, for their continued and generous support.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. has partnered with the UT Health Science Center San Antonio to support the university’s inaugural emergency medicine residency program.
A four-year, $831,043 grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries commenced this summer as the first 10 residents started their orientation in the Department of Emergency Medicine in the Long School of Medicine. They are expected to graduate in the summer of 2016.
William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of the UT Health Science Center, said Methodist Healthcare Ministries has worked with the Health Science Center since 1996 to build a stronger and healthier community.
In the last 10 years, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has given more than $14 million to support UT System initiatives designed to improve the health and well-being of South Texas residents.
“By participating in this ground-breaking venture, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is helping to improve the quality and accessibility of emergency care in South Texas. These physicians will attain exceptional knowledge, procedural ability and superb clinical judgment,” Dr. Henrich said.
Kevin C. Moriarty, president and chief executive officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, said this new residency program aligns perfectly with MHM’s dedication to providing medical and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured throughout the region.
“We are excited to team up with the Health Science Center in this long-range project that will help to alleviate the grave shortage of emergency medicine physicians throughout South Texas,” Moriarty said. “By working together, we can help save lives.”
South Texas has the country’s second lowest number of board-certified emergency physicians with 5.5 physicians per 100,000 residents. Rural hospitals in this area are especially underserved with only 2.3 emergency physicians per 100,000 residents.
Dr. Henrich said, “Board-certified emergency medicine physicians are not projected to meet minimum workforce standards in our region until 2050, which is why the new civilian emergency medicine residency is crucial.
“Studies show that 80 percent of graduates from an emergency medicine training program settle within 75 miles of their residency location. Because of our support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we will be able to significantly reduce the emergency medicine physician shortage in this region of Texas.”
