When people think about healthcare shortages, they often imagine faraway places. Yet here in northern Frederick County, where the Mount is located, many of our neighbors face real challenges accessing basic medical care. Parts of our region are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, and for many families, the nearest primary care provider is miles away and may not accept new patients.
This is yet another way that PAs can make a powerful difference. PAs are trained across all specialties and are uniquely adaptable to the needs of the communities they serve. In rural areas, they help fill critical gaps in primary and urgent care, improve access to preventive services and strengthen care coordination.
The need is real and urgent. Rural communities experience higher rates of chronic illness, hospitalizations and premature death compared to urban areas, yet they often have fewer practicing clinicians per capita. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, life expectancy continues to decline in many rural regions of the United States, widening the gap between rural and urban outcomes. Maryland faces these challenges as well. In Emmitsburg, more than half of households struggle to afford basic necessities, and primary care access is limited. Research from the NCCPA shows that over one third of newly certified PAs accept positions in the region of their PA program or clinical training sites, which means programs based in rural communities can directly shape the local healthcare workforce.
At the Mount, we are deeply committed to preparing graduates to serve where they are needed most. Our Care for America program was created to do exactly that. In our program, students expand their knowledge of healthcare equity both in and out of the classroom, gain direct experience working with underserved populations, and participate in volunteer outreach. In addition, Care for America provides full tuition scholarships for selected students who commit to serving in underserved communities after graduation.
We believe every patient deserves access to quality healthcare close to home. By training and supporting future PAs who are passionate about service, we hope to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce right here in Maryland and beyond.