RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - State Senator Shane Reeves (R) of Murfreesboro secured $2 million in state funding for Middle Tennessee State University to provide scholarships for the joint public private partnership with the Medical School Early Acceptance Program with Meharry Medical College.

“This funding will help improve the physician shortage in rural areas by providing more scholarships to medical students who commit to training and working in rural areas of the state,” said Senator Shane Reeves. “I was proud to sponsor the budget amendment that secured these funds and appreciate my colleagues in the General Assembly for supporting this initiative.” 

The funding to MTSU will increase support for students participating in the Medical School Early Acceptance Program with Meharry Medical College. The program allows students to complete medical school faster by doing three years of undergraduate study at MTSU, then four years of medical school at Meharry Medical College. The graduates of the program must complete a three-year residency in a rural area and commit to two years of practice in the rural area after their residency is completed.

“Improving access to care for rural Tennesseans is a top priority of mine,” said Reeves. “This program is one way we can ensure rural areas have dedicated physicians. In the General Assembly I will continue to work on improving health outcomes and care for our rural communities.”