Geisinger, a leading healthcare system, and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine have introduced a groundbreaking initiative: the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program. This program is designed to eliminate the financial barriers to medical education for aspiring primary care physicians. By offering debt-free medical school and living assistance, Geisinger aims to cultivate a new generation of primary care doctors dedicated to serving their communities. This strategic investment addresses the growing national shortage of primary care physicians and reinforces Geisinger’s commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare within its service areas.
The escalating cost of medical education often steers graduates towards higher-paying specialties, exacerbating the primary care physician shortage across the nation. Recognizing this critical issue, the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program directly tackles the financial burden. Students selected for this prestigious program will have their tuition and fees fully covered, in addition to receiving a $2,000 monthly stipend for living expenses throughout their four years of medical school. In return, these scholars commit to practicing primary care within the Geisinger Health System for four years following the completion of their residency. This commitment ensures a steady influx of dedicated primary care physicians into the communities Geisinger serves, complementing existing innovative programs such as Geisinger 65 Forward, Geisinger at Home, and the MyCode Community Health Initiative.
Dr. Jaewon Ryu, President and CEO of Geisinger, emphasizes the health system’s proven success in primary care-focused healthcare delivery. “At Geisinger, we’ve demonstrated that a strong emphasis on primary care leads to improved patient outcomes, reduced costs, and greater satisfaction for both patients and providers,” Dr. Ryu stated. He further highlighted Geisinger’s innovative approach to primary care delivery, “We are excited to welcome individuals who share our passion for pioneering new and effective methods of delivering this essential care. Extending this commitment to training future physicians through the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program is a natural progression. This program allows scholars to learn and contribute within Geisinger’s cutting-edge primary care environment without the overwhelming concern of educational debt.”
Each incoming medical school class will see 40 students selected for the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program through a rigorous and competitive application process. The selection criteria are comprehensive, considering financial need, academic excellence, diversity, a demonstrated passion for community service, and an applicant’s likelihood of remaining within Geisinger’s service area long-term. The program’s debt-free structure, encompassing full tuition, fees, and a living stipend, is inspired by successful models like the Federal military and Public Health Service scholarships. Geisinger further enhances this model with specialized curricular components and by leveraging its own pioneering innovations in primary care.
Current first- and second-year medical students are also eligible to apply for this exceptional opportunity, with notifications being disseminated before the spring semester commences. For each incoming class at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, all accepted applicants will be invited to apply for the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program, with selections announced annually in April, preceding the August start of classes.
Dr. Steven J. Scheinman, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Geisinger and Dean of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, underscores the transformative impact of the program. “Providing debt-free medical education is the most impactful way to support these scholars in their primary care commitment,” said Dr. Scheinman. “Medical school debt is an enormous burden for our graduates. We take pride in our innovative curriculum, which features active learning, extensive clinical experiences, and community engagement. This renewed focus on primary care represents another significant innovation. Like the Geisinger system itself, our medical school is deeply rooted in the community and feels a profound responsibility to serve it. This strong community connection is a defining characteristic of Geisinger and a key factor in the success we have achieved across our primary care initiatives.”
Beyond financial assistance, the Geisinger Primary Care Scholars program is fundamentally reshaping how future physicians are trained to address the evolving healthcare needs of communities. Geisinger is actively reimagining its curriculum to incorporate innovative primary care models. A key feature of the program is the mentorship component, where each scholar is paired with an experienced Geisinger physician. This mentorship provides invaluable, in-depth exposure to some of the most advanced and unique primary care models in practice today, offering scholars a real-world understanding of innovative healthcare delivery.
The Geisinger Primary Care Scholars Program builds upon the success of the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program, launched last year. Named after Geisinger’s founder, the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program offers 10 students per class up to four years of tuition coverage in the form of a loan, which is forgiven upon completion of a service commitment as a Geisinger physician in any specialty. The new Primary Care Scholars program significantly expands this commitment, focusing specifically on primary care and offering enhanced support through a living stipend. Like its predecessor, it operates as a forgivable loan, but with a dedicated emphasis on primary care careers and the added benefit of financial support for living expenses.
About Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) is an integral part of the Geisinger family. GCSOM distinguishes itself with a community-based medical education model, operating campuses in Danville, Lewistown, Scranton, Sayre, and Wilkes-Barre. The school offers a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree alongside a diverse portfolio of graduate programs. GCSOM’s pioneering curriculum, emphasizing patient care within the context of their lives and communities, attracts a diverse body of aspiring physicians and scientists from its region, across Pennsylvania, and nationwide. Geisinger Commonwealth upholds a commitment to non-discrimination in all aspects of employment and education. For further information, please visit www.geisinger.edu/gcsom.
About Geisinger
Geisinger stands as a national leader in value-based care, dedicated to serving 1.2 million individuals in both urban and rural communities throughout Pennsylvania. Established in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, this non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenue across an extensive network of 134 care sites. This network includes 10 hospital campuses and Geisinger Health Plan, which serves 600,000 members through commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences plays a vital role in educating over 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With a workforce of 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger ranks among Pennsylvania’s largest employers, contributing an estimated $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger marked a significant milestone by becoming the inaugural member of Risant Health, a newly established non-profit charitable organization focused on expanding and accelerating value-based care nationwide. To discover more about Geisinger, please visit geisinger.org or connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
