L.A. Care Launches New Residency Program to Address Physician Shortage

July-August 2019

L.A. Care launched a new program within its $31 million Elevating the Safety Net initiative, committing more than $5.2 million to establish 14 new residency positions at five medical facilities.

Some of the funding will also go to new faculty positions. This comes in the wake of a recent report that found California faces a shortage 8,800 primary care physicians by 2030.

"Studies show that physicians often stay in the region where they complete their residency, and we need them here now," said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. "Vulnerable communities in L.A. County are already experiencing a physician shortage, so we have to do all we can to keep physicians here."

In addition, eight new L.A. Care Scholars were each awarded with scholarships up to $350,000 to complete medical school. Four will attend the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and four will attend the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  

Watch ABC7's coverage of L.A. Care's July 23 event for the scholars.