July 28th, 2009

Reports the Tribune-Review:

Alexis Nikoula said she hopes to remain in Southwestern Pennsylvania after she becomes a doctor.

Nikoula, a Hempfield Area High School and Seton Hill University graduate, is enrolled at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, which held its first day of classes Monday with 109 students enrolled.

“Greensburg needs this,” Nikoula said. “There’s so much need for physicians around here.”

Dr. John M. Ferretti, the college’s president and chief executive officer, said during a press conference yesterday that physicians tend to stay in the area where they received their medical training.

For instance, about 300 medical or pharmacy graduates of the college’s main campus in Erie have remained in the northwestern corner of the state, he said.

“We can make this a reality for this community as well,” Ferretti told about 50 representatives from government, university and medical groups.

Doctor retention is important because of the area’s aging population and chronic health problems, Ferretti said. At the same time, the number of physicians is declining, especially in family practice, he said.

Read more at the Tribune-Review.