Medical Education was the hot topic of an Upper Peninsula Medical Society Meeting in 1973, and the concept of a U.P. program was discussed at great length. Don Weston and Ron Richards from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine strongly promoted the idea of training in Michigan's rural Upper Peninsula.
But where to host this program? Marquette proudly offered Marquette General Hospital's facilities and physicians, and Escanaba, home to OSF St. Francis Hospital, also felt they had what it would take to be the "home" of the new program. All Upper Peninsula communities were invited to compete for the privilege, and the Escanaba community won out. Later, Marquette General would become the central training location, with OSF St. Francis remaining a major contributing partner.
The medical school was established under UPHEC; the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation, which was championed by State Representative Dominic Jacobetti.
"Jake" was a powerful member of the Michigan legislature, was known to use his position to help direct substantial funding to the Upper Peninsula, and wielded significant influence of the direction of revenues as the head of the Appropriations Committee. With the necessary funds established, UPHEC was launched and underway with many thanks to the U.P.'s good friend, Jake.
The establishment of the UP Campus of MSU-CHM was an interesting and non conventional medical training effort. Medical Students began training in Internal Medicine in 1974 at The Doctors Park in Escanaba.
The concept of residency training soon followed in 1975. Dr. Dan Mazzuchi, a Nephrologist, was the Chief of Staff at Marquette General Hospital at the time, and led the charge to identify which specialty would be offered. It was determined that Family Medicine would be ideal. With a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 1977, the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program was established with Dr. Mazzuchi in the leadership role.
Dr. Israel Fradkin was hired as the first residency director, and assisted in the recruitment of the first class. Dr. Eric Ittner and Dr. Cindy Lack were included in that first class, and are recognizable physician leaders in the U.P. physician community to this day.
In 1981, Dr. John Lehtinen assumed the directorship of the residency, and continued to lead the program for the next 20 years.
1980's:
35 Graduates- 9 Female (25%)
18 Graduates remained in the U.P.
Most still practice Family Medicine, and some are soon to retire
At least 5 practice Emergency Medicine, and 1 is a Hospitalist
At least 6 are in significant health care leadership roles in the UP
1990's:
56 Graduates- 19 Female (34%)
26 Graduates remained in the U.P.
42 Practice Family Medicine
10 Practice Emergency Medicine, mainly in the U.P.
3 are in significant leadership roles
2000-2010:
60 Graduates- 32 Female (53%)
30 Graduates remained in the U.P.
3 Emergency Medicine
5 Hospitalist's, mostly in the U.P.
MARQUETTE FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM GRADUATES from 1982-2011:
163 Graduates
80 Practicing in the U.P.
Graduates in many states: AK, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NM, OH, OR, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Most are in rural sites, fulfilling our programs core mission
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