Press Herald editorial supports Doctors for Maine's Future scholarship program

The Portland Press Herald on Jan. 26, 2011 published an editorial in support of the Doctors for Maine's Future scholarship program, which is threatened by state budget cuts. On the block is the state's $125,000 commitment to the program, which helps Maine students in a Maine-based medical program pay for their schooling. "The relatively inexpensive program is aimed at shifting the economics that leave many parts of the state underserved by primary care physicians."

"The Doctors for Maine's Future program recruits students with strong ties to Maine and helps them get through school with more manageable debt. That leaves the door open to a young doctor opening a primary care practice in an underserved area. The House and Senate will have to approve the supplemental budget for the cuts to take effect. We urge members of the Legislature to find the money somewhere else in the nearly $5 billion budget. A decade from now, rural Mainers will thank them." The editorial online ran a file photo of Elisabeth DelPrete, D.O., chair of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine department of family medicine, along with several medical students.

Twelve UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine students have received scholarships from the program the past two years, and several students went to hearings before the Legislature on Jan. 24 in support of the program. Tobin Carson MSII from Starks, Maine, formally addressed the Legislature's Appropriations Committee on the importance of the program. Later they met with Gov. Paul LePage.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.