KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited UMKC on Tuesday to talk about a new state program to encourage students to pursue careers in health care.
The plan, called “
Caring for Missourians”, is a new state program designed to expand education opportunities for health care professionals in high-demand fields.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services more than 80% of the state is experiencing a shortage of health care professionals.
Under the program enrollment in UMKC’s Doctor of Dental Surgery program will increase by 17 students.
"Our state and our nation are facing a critical shortage of dentists each one of these grads will be able to land a job and help transform our health care system and our economy at the same time," says Nixon.
The program will also create additional slots in the university’s Medical Doctor, pharmacy and nursing programs. UMKC got $11.7 million to implement the plan.
"Caring for Missourians also represents a direct boost to our economy by creating a pathway to secure employment for hundreds of additional Missourians," says Nixon.
The state legislature provided $40 million dollars total. Other schools receiving money include Lincoln University, Missouri State University, Missouri Western State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri, Truman State University and the University of Missouri.
Some worry that tax dollars will pay to educate students who will leave the state.
Martha Piles, Dean of the School of Dentistry, says that should not be a concern.
"Most of our graduates stay in the area. We take most of our students from the state of Missouri and most of them stay here," says Piles.
Amy Thompson, a fourth year dentistry student, says she plans to go where dentists are needed most.
"Right now I'd like to be in a city but eventually probably in a smaller town,” she says.
Nixon says he will make funding for this program a priority.
