IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Cal State San Bernardino will become the first public university in Southern California to offer a Master of Science Physician Assistant curriculum.
The program, expected to start in the fall of 2024, will help address the chronic shortage of healthcare professionals in the Inland Empire, according to a statement on the university’s website.
The upcoming state budget includes $1.8 million for the program, which will also help get medical care to underserved people in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
“For too long, Inland Southern California has suffered the disparate impacts of an under-resourced and overburdened primary care provider workforce,” said State Sen. Roth, D-Riverside, who advocated for the funding. “This critical investment will bolster our frontline primary care providers and expand access to care in our neediest communities by providing students increased opportunities to enter the health care sector.”
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties have a severe shortage of healthcare workers: 35 primary care physicians per 100,000 patients, well below the recommended 60 to 80 primary care physicians per 100,000 patients.
Currently, Inland Southern California has a shortfall of 1,500 primary care physicians, according to the statement.
