Growing the Physician Workforce in Arkansas
A Statewide Graduate Medical Education Strategy
Heartland Whole Health Institute has published Growing the Physician Workforce in Arkansas: A Statewide Graduate Medical Education (GME) Strategy, a statewide report examining Arkansas’ physician training landscape and outlining evidence‑informed options to strengthen residency training capacity over time.
About the Report
Graduate Medical Education plays a critical role in shaping where physicians ultimately practice. This report, developed in partnership with ShepsGME, examines Arkansas’ current GME capacity, identifies specialty and geographic gaps that affect access to care, and explores practical considerations that influence whether new and expanded residency programs are feasible across the state.
The analysis is grounded in data review and extensive stakeholder engagement, including input from health systems, academic partners, clinicians, trainees, and community leaders from all regions of Arkansas. The report reflects both statewide trends and regional realities.
The findings are presented as a framework for exploration and long‑term planning. The report is intended to support shared understanding among health care, education, and community stakeholders as they consider approaches to strengthening the physician training pipeline in Arkansas.
What the Report Examines
- Arkansas’ current Graduate Medical Education landscape
- Specialty and geographic gaps that influence access to care
- Barriers and considerations affecting residency program feasibility
- Regional training pathways and implementation considerations
- Lessons from peer states and comparable training models
A Growing Gap Between Medical School Graduates and Residency Training
Arkansas’ physician pipeline faces a clear math problem: currently the state’s medical schools graduate approximately 430 physicians annually, but Arkansas offers only 375 Post Graduate Year-1 (PGY‑1) residency positions — the first year of residency training required for licensure. That mismatch pushes Arkansas-trained physicians to leave the state for residency training, weakening long-term retention and access to care. The pressure will increase beginning in 2029, when Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) begins graduating an additional cohort of 48 physicians each year.
Explore Frequently Asked Questions
Stakeholder‑Informed, Data‑Driven
This work was informed by engagement with more than 42 organizations and over 100 stakeholders from all five regions of Arkansas, representing diverse perspectives and areas of expertise. Their input helped ensure the analysis reflects on‑the‑ground realities and regional variation across the state.
How This Report Is Intended to Be Used
This publication is offered as nonpartisan analysis, study, and research for broad public education. It is designed to support understanding and dialogue among health care, education, and community stakeholders.