Nevada has consistently ranked as one of the worst states in the nation for its doctor shortage.
Ensuring the state has enough doctors to keep up with the population growth in Nevada has become a top priority among politicians and educators.
Gov. Brian Sandoval approved $10 million this legislative session for the development of graduate medical programs, and the UNLV medical school is scheduled to soon start classes.
This week, MountainView Hospital announced its Internal Medicine Residency Program has received its accreditation.
Darren Swenson, chief medical officer, MountainView Hospital told KNPR's State of Nevada the program will focus on training doctors specializing in internal medicine with the goal of increasing the number of primary care physicians in Southern Nevada.
The 20 residency spots available for the first year will be available to match for any medical school student around the country. However, Swenson said organizers would like to bring Nevada students home.
"We really hope to bring those students who have left the state for their medical education, their undergraduate medical education, to bring them back to Nevada," he said.
Establishing more residency programs is important because doctors tend to stay in the community where they are residents.
Darren Swenson, Chief Medical Officer, MountainView Hospital
