Heather DeReus, MD
School of Medicine Pediatric Resident Heather DeReus, MD, was recently interviewed about the shortage of residency slots in the U.S. The story was covered by news outlets around the country.
Already a problem, a doctor shortage in the United States is expected to get even worse over the next decade. Training to become a doctor requires four years of medical school, followed by a residency of three to seven years. In 1997, Congress passed legislation putting a cap on the number of Graduate Medical Education positions, or residency spots, funded by Medicare.
After DeReus completed medical school at the University of Florida College of Medicine, she ‘matched’ at UVA for her residency, but not all med students are as fortunate. According to DeReus, “It’s devastating. These people work so hard. We’ve all worked so hard and want this so much, and there are patients that need to be seen, yet we don’t have enough spots for them.”
DeReus wanted to be a doctor for as long as she can remember. A video shows DeReus at age 3 getting her very first doctor’s kit at Christmas. “Look, a doctor book! A stethoscope!” the little girl calls out, clearly very excited.
Read the full story at The National Desk.
Filed Under: Media Highlights