NORFOLK, Va. — Sentara Health is finding new ways to fight a national physician shortage here in Hampton Roads.
Over the next six years, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital plans on almost doubling its current resident physician intake and establishing new residency programs in Hampton, Williamsburg, Elizabeth City and Woodbridge.
“I think this is a fantastic environment to train in. Norfolk General in particular offers a great diversity in medical pathology," said Dr. Colin Findlay, who has worked at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for years.
Findlay started out in the hospital’s residency program. Now, he's the hospital's Associate Chief Medical Officer.
He said hospitals are struggling to stay fully staffed.
"It's very difficult to get an appointment to see a primary care doctor these days, a six to nine month wait in some cases," Findlay said.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2036, they expect a shortage between 13,500 and 86,000 physicians across the nation.
“We've heard a consistent outcry from our community about access to healthcare," said Dr. Michael Hooper, Sentara's Vice President and Chief Academic Officer.
Hooper said the hospital group plans on expanding the Norfolk residency program from 240 residents to about 400. The hospital also plans add fellowships and expand training programs in cardiology, anesthesia, and neurology.
"Health systems across the country need to be doing exactly the same thing," he said.
With this expanded program and the addition of residency programs at their Virginia and North Carolina hospitals, Sentara hopes to increase the pipeline of future physicians, keeping our local hospitals fully staffed, while lowering patient wait times.
"We need help, we need more providers," Findlay said. "And I think this is a great way to expand our provider pool.”