A University of Oregon partnership with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and PeaceHealth, Oregon Region, first proposed in the fall of 2004, continues to examine opportunities to train physicians in Oregon and also address an anticipated medical work force shortage.

An estimated 1,255 Oregon doctors will leave the field in 2006. At the same time, only 216 new physicians will have graduated from the OHSU School of Medicine, said Joe Robertson, the school’s dean.

Ongoing discussions regarding the collaboration have centered on the idea of having the first, and possibly the second, year of medical training (both are focused on classroom and laboratory instruction) taking place at the University of Oregon. Training for the third and fourth years, which involves clinical rotations, would take place at PeaceHealth.

While the proposal will require funding assistance from the Oregon legislature, a proposed timeline could bring third or fourth year students to Eugene for clinical rotations at PeaceHealth as early as fall 2007. The first and second-year programs could begin around 2008 or 2009. Once fully implemented, the collaboration is expected to help train up to 40 additional physicians per year.

“I am delighted that the University of Oregon has been invited to join in this endeavor,” said Dave Frohnmayer, university president. “We look forward to bringing our strong legacy of interdisciplinary research and the quality of our academic science programs to this important partnership for Oregon’s future.”