Will Washington County provide financial aid to new medical school? Meritus seeks support

Maulik Joshi admitted it was a big ask.

But the president and CEO of Meritus Health asked the Washington County commissioners on Tuesday to consider a 20-year commitment to the health system's planned osteopathic school, based on the impact the school would have on both the physical and economic health of the county.

Joshi asked the commissioners to consider committing $1 million per year through 2043 toward the school's operations, and another $1 million a year for scholarships for local students. These would be students from Washington County who commit to practicing here for five years after residency. The cost would cover about four students per year with full tuition.

Related:Meritus holds groundbreaking ceremony for new medical school in Hagerstown area

"That's a great incentive that brings people back. And the whole goal is that, as we know, they'll love it here and they'll stay here beyond the five years," Joshi said.

That's important, he said, because of a nationwide shortage of physicians. Locally, he said, there's a shortage of 52 physicians right now. Nationally, the shortage is projected to reach 124,000 by 2034.

And despite two "fantastic" medical schools in the state, "Maryland graduates the fewest number of medical school students per capita than any other state in the United States," Joshi said.

Related:Meritus Health is making plans to start a medical school to address shortage of doctors

Meritus is spending $146 million from its reserves to start the school. Plans include an academic building and housing to be built on the campus of Meritus Medical Center. Meritus hopes to begin classes in the fall of 2025.

In the meantime, Meritus anticipates construction to create nearly 1,600 jobs and generate tax revenues of $6.2 million for an estimated total local impact of $268 million.

Meritus plans to hire 100 staff and faculty for the school.

More:Meritus announces new chief medical officer, new associate dean for proposed med school

Joshi said the school will open with 90 students and will eventually add 180 students per year. Right now, he said, "the medical school acceptance rate throughout the United States is less than 10%. They say when we open it up, we'll have over 1,000 applications for 90 students."

The school is "a big, big deal to bring to this community," said B.J. Goetz, chairman of the Meritus Medical Center board, "economically, socially, and the bold goals that Meritus set out a few years ago on community health and how to move community health forward."

While the commissioners were supportive, they were noncommittal.

"Just to be honest, I feel a little uneasy about committing not just this board, but for future boards or county commissioners for funding," said Commissioner Wayne Keefer. "But I do think this is truly a transformational thing for our community that will reap the benefits."

Commissioner Randy Wagner agreed.

"For me personally … I would have to see our own budget and talk with our (chief financial officer) and see what the consensus is," he said. "But you know I'm on your side; I just don't come on your side for $40 million, but I'm on your side."

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Meritus seeks 20-year county support for new medical school