Local government officials' plan to end inpatient care at Nashville (Tenn.) General Hospital has Nashville-based Meharry Medical College medical residents worried about the future of their education, Nashville Public Radio reports.
With regard to potential plans to end inpatient care at Nashville General, Meharry Medical College inked a deal with Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare to allow third- and fourth-year medical students the opportunity to continue their clinical studies at an HCA-affiliated hospital in Tennessee.
The deal does not affect the 118 medical residents tethered to Meharry for the duration of their residency programs. At least 52 of Meharry's 118 residents practice at Nashville General, the report states.
While residents have reportedly been discouraged from speaking to the media, James E.K. Hildreth, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, said all residents "will be able to conclude their training with us, either by being placed in local hospitals or one of our 18 affiliated hospitals that we currently have. … None of the residents that we currently have at Meharry are going to have to leave to finish their training," the report states.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry selected Dr. Hildreth to head an 11-member stakeholder committee to provide input on the potential changes at Nashville General, which officials claim will run out of operating funds by Jan. 30, 2018.