BALTIMORE — In the face of growing physician shortages and persistent health disparities in underserved communities, Morgan State University is taking a decisive step toward a solution that will serve both Maryland and the nation. With the support of a two-year, $1.75-million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), Morgan will develop a comprehensive plan to establish its own public, nonprofit Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program — a first for Maryland’s largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
The new Morgan-operated medical school is envisioned to expand opportunities for students from groups underrepresented in the profession, produce more physicians committed to practicing in underserved communities and strengthen the health care workforce pipeline in Maryland and beyond.
“This investment represents a pivotal moment for Morgan and for the communities we serve,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “For more than a decade, we have been committed to the idea that a medical school on our campus can be transformative — not only for our students but for the state of Maryland and the nation. With the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s support, we are charting a new course toward a public, nonprofit M.D. program that will train physicians where they are most needed, close gaps in care and reflect the diversity of the populations served.”
The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034, a gap that will hit underserved communities the hardest. Rural, low-income, and minority-populated areas already face significant access challenges, with many designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Research shows that family physicians from underrepresented minority in medicine (URiM) backgrounds are more likely to serve vulnerable populations; however, only 10.8% of active physicians and 6.8% of academic faculty identify as URiM. Encouragingly, upon completing their medical degrees, 86% of URiM physicians continue practicing in HPSAs or return to their original communities, strengthening care in the areas that need it most.
Expanding a Vision, Strengthening the Model
In 2020, Morgan State announced an ambitious plan to bring a new medical school to its campus — a vision that drew widespread public enthusiasm. While circumstances have prevented that effort from moving forward, the University has continued to refine its approach, engaging with health care leaders, policymakers and community stakeholders to ensure that its next steps are both bold and sustainable.
The result is a stronger model: a publicly supported, nonprofit medical school offering an M.D. degree, with broader recognition for graduates, greater access to state and federal funding and a focus on care for underserved populations. To bring this reimagining of a medical school at Morgan to fruition, President Wilson has established a Morgan Medical School Planning Group to initiate the process, leveraging the resources received from RWJF.
The RWJF grant is part of the foundation’s broader commitment to increasing investment in medical schools at HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions that have long been under-resourced despite their outsized role in educating physicians of color. Although HBCUs are home to just 3% of U.S. medical schools, they produce nearly 70% of the nation’s Black physicians and dentists.
“The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s support underscores the importance of strategic philanthropy in advancing bold ideas,” said Endia DeCordova, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Morgan. “This funding will enable us to develop a sustainable, mission-driven model for medical education that aligns with our commitment to equity and access. We are grateful to RWJF for recognizing Morgan’s leadership and investing in the next generation of health care professionals.”
Addressing Maryland’s Critical Needs
The planned medical school will position Morgan to help address Maryland’s most pressing health care needs. Statewide, shortages in primary care and specialty physicians are projected to grow in the coming decade, with underserved urban and rural communities bearing the greatest burden. Morgan’s effort will focus on producing culturally competent physicians, expanding primary care capacity and fostering research that addresses health inequities.
Through the two-year planning process funded by RWJF, the University will work with state, federal and philanthropic partners to shape the medical school’s curriculum, facilities, governance and funding model. The goal: to create a blueprint for a medical school built to last — one that serves as a national model for inclusive excellence in medical education.