Evening star., 1960-01-06
By BENJAMIN FINE

NE" 1O1NEAs Od4A. Os-A bAA-
lion-dollar program to Strenth-
en- medical education in the
United States is needed at once
If we are to meet the growing
shortage of physicians.
Today the United States has
IS medical schools and six
schools of osteopathy. Forty
five of these schools are prl-
vately endowed. Since 1910.
three new private and five pub
lie medical schools have been
established. Medical schools
are most heavily concentrated
in the Northeastern United
States. Nine States have no
medical school.
But medical schools have not
kept pace with the population
growth in this country. A study
recently completed by the con-
sultant group on medical edu-
cation. appointed by the Sur
geon General Of the Public
Health Service, reports that
this Nation faces a critical
shortage of doctors. The exist
ing medical schools cannot
possibly admit enough students
TO solve the problem. Even if
they receive more funds, the
existing schools could eXpend
only to a slight degree.
Medical Schools Needed
Those who have studied the
situation propose vast system
of new medical schools for the
country. The Surgeon Generals
report recommends from 20
to "a new schools, to be
located in various parts of the
United States.
A growing America will need
more physicians, the report
stresses.
But it will be costly to add
20 or more new medical schools.
Few private universities will be
willing to undertake this gigan-
tic task. The budgets for the
medical schools are usually
much higher than for the rest
OF the college. The report of
the Surgeon General estimates
that the average medical school,
with an enrolment of 400, has
an operating budget of SIS
million annually. This is sup
plemented with Federal re-
search funds.
Einstein College Cited
One of the newest medical
schools in the country, under
private auspices, is the Albert
Einstein College Of Medicine
of Yeshiva University. in New
York. This medical school
graduated its first class last
June. 1t now admits 100 stu
dents year. The total cost Of
the medical building together
with the two hospitals that are
part of the medical center, will
be close to 500 million,
The university embarked on
this project five years ago un-
der the direction of its presi-
dent. DR.. Samuel Belkin De-
spite the tremendous drain on
the university budget, the
medical school has become a
vital part Of the institution.
The newest aspects of medical
training have been introduced
Il believe that higher educa-
tion should assume some Of the
responsibilities of providing
trained medical men for this
country" DR.. Belkin observed.
in explaining why the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine
was founded. 1T is essential
that additional facilities be Of
fered for the welfare of our
nation"
Many Sources Must Help
The greatest obstacle to ex-
pansion Of the Nations medical
schools and construction of new
schools is money. To secure the
$50 million that was needed to
found the Albert Einstein Col
lege Of Medicine, DR.. Belkin
served as consultant and ad-
wiser to the board of trustees
and covered literally every part
Of the United States during the
development campaign.
But private funds alone will
not be sufficient to build new