CMSRU awarded $2.6 million grant to expand accelerated primary care medical education program

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to expand its innovative three-year accelerated medical education program focused on training the next generation of primary care physicians.

The overarching goal of the expanded program is to increase the number of primary care physicians practicing in New Jersey, which has been designated by HRSA as an area that is projected to be impacted by an impending physician shortage. This recognition, along with national rankings by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 and 2025 that placed CMSRU among the country's best medical schools in primary care, underscores the school's growing role as a leader in preparing physicians for service in underserved communities.

The project, "Value Based Medical Student Education Training Program; Expansion and Regionalization of an Accelerated Three-Year Medical School Curriculum for Primary Care," builds upon CMSRU's existing three-year program in internal medicine and pediatrics by adding a track in family medicine and extending the program to a new regional partner, Inspira Health, alongside CMSRU's primary academic affiliate, Cooper University Health Care (CUHC).

Through this expansion, students will be recruited primarily from rural and urban medically underserved communities in New Jersey. Those accepted into the accelerated pathway will receive provisional acceptance into primary care residency programs in internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine at CUHC or Inspira Health. This unique model creates a seamless pipeline from medical school to residency, ultimately preparing physicians to serve the communities where they are most needed.

"As a medical school committed to serving our region, this award represents an important opportunity to expand access to primary care and address critical physician shortages in both rural and urban communities," said Annette C. Reboli, MD dean and professor of medicine at CMSRU, and principal investigator for the project. "By partnering with Inspira Health, we are able to broaden our reach and ensure that more students with a passion for primary care have the resources, mentorship, and financial support needed to succeed."

The program will provide significant scholarship support to matriculated students who commit to primary care. In addition, graduates who choose to practice within the Cooper or Inspira systems may be eligible for loan forgiveness, further strengthening the pipeline of physicians who remain in the state to practice.

Inspira Health, a leading healthcare system serving southern New Jersey, will play a critical role in this expansion. With four hospitals, 11 urgent care centers, more than 50 practices, and a strong presence in rural communities across Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties, Inspira brings deep expertise and reach to the collaboration.

With this significant investment, CMSRU and its partners are building a stronger pipeline of primary care physicians who are prepared to meet the needs of New Jersey's most vulnerable communities. The expansion reflects CMSRU's mission to educate the next generation of physicians who will serve, lead, and make a lasting impact on the health of the region.