R.I. eyes creating a state medical school to boost primary care

URI’s main campus, in semi-rural southern Rhode Island.

— Photo by Quintin Soloviev 

Edited and excerpted from a report by The New England Council

“The University of Rhode Island is set to receive an initial $5 million in state funding to establish a medical school {on the university’s main campus, in Kingston} as part of a sweeping 17-bill legislative package unveiled by Rhode Island Senate leaders on March 12 aimed at addressing the state’s strained health-care system. 

“The funding, sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, would be used to hire a founding dean and senior leadership, recruit core faculty and administrative staff, begin the accreditation process, and develop curriculum. The legislation outlines a funding trajectory of $7 million in fiscal year 2028 and $9 million in fiscal year 2029, totaling $21 million in state investment over three years. The proposal follows a unanimous January recommendation from a state legislative commission that establishing a medical school at URI is a critical step toward addressing Rhode Island’s shortage of primary-care doctors. URI will be required to report to the governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2028, on fund usage, accreditation progress, and a projected development timeline. 

“‘As the state’s flagship public research university, we are committed every day to advancing our state and enhancing the quality of life for Rhode Islanders,’ said URI President Marc Parlange. ‘Through our health-focused colleges, we are improving health outcomes across the state. We remain dedicated to working with state leaders, health care providers, and community members to address primary care challenges. I am deeply grateful to the commission members for their ongoing, important work on this issue that touches the lives of every Rhode Islander.”’