A Request for Proposals has been issued by Memorial University to review increasing the Faculty of Medicine from 80 students to 90 students. These additional seats would be used to allow for an additional 10 medical students from Newfoundland and Labrador.
The current 80 seats in the Faculty of Medicine’s four-year undergraduate medical program includes 65 seats for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, with the remaining 15 seats allocated for learners from other parts of Canada.
The successful proponent will review the requirements of the expansion, such as infrastructure and staffing, resourcing and equipment. Information on the RFP is available here, and information on RFPs and tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available at merx.com/govnl.
Research shows that students who study and complete their medical education in their home province have a higher rate of staying in that province as a practicing physician. Increasing the number of reserved seats for students from Newfoundland and Labrador will provide an opportunity for more learners from this province to study medicine right here at home. The expansion would help ensure that more physicians who receive their education at Memorial University will continue to practice in the province once they have obtained full licensure.
In addition, as a result of the department’s recruitment incentives, in the past month, more physicians have agreed to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador communities, including Bonavista, Springdale and on the Burin Peninsula. A physician has also agreed to offer service via virtual clinics for Bishop’s Falls.
More information for health care professionals interested in learning about the opportunities and incentives to work in Newfoundland and Labrador is available at WorkInHealthNL.ca.
Quotes
“We recognize there is a global shortage of physicians. While our recruitment incentives and initiatives are working to attract and retain health care professionals, we also recognize the importance of more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians receiving their education here in the province. By expanding the number of seats in this program, we can help ensure more physicians from Newfoundland and Labrador are educated here and will practice here. This is one more step to securing more local physicians for the future.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“We appreciate this partnership with government to review the possibility of expanding the doctor of medicine program. Memorial University is committed to improving educational opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labadorians in a sustainable way. The Faculty of Medicine has received national recognition for the number of graduates working in rural practice 10 years after graduation. This initiative aligns with Memorial’s priority to help improve the lives of people in this province.”
Dr. Neil Bose
President and Vice-Chancellor, Memorial University
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Learn more
Province Adds Seats for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at Memorial University’s Medical School
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