A $1 million earmark in the state budget is helping create a pipeline to bring more doctors to western Massachusetts.
Twenty-one students just completed their first year in a new program at the Umass Medical School- Baystate Health Springfield campus.
Dr. Andrew Artenstein, the regional executive dean, said their clinical training takes place in community based health care offices in rural areas and urban centers in greater Springfield.
"They are pioneers who are doing novel and unique things and they are going to be the leaders of tomorrow," said Artenstein.
Research shows doctors tend to begin their practices in the communities where they were educated.
The $ 1 million is the largest single earmark for a western Massachusetts program in the 2018 state budget.
