SUMMER 2024

THEIR LONG, WINDING ROADS TO MEDICINE

As medical students, they stand out. Because of where they’ve been, how long it took them to find medicine as their calling and, of course, because of their age. The average med student is 23.5 years old. These arrive at 29 or later. They’ve already had other careers. Many have families. And, each year, IU School of Medicine counts about two dozen among its ranks. And, despite the challenges, they bring another kind of diversity to the school — one of perspective, steadiness, maturity, and life experience. They are “non-traditional” medical students.

MEETING A VITAL NEED

It’s no secret the United States faces a daunting physician shortage. More than 83 million Americans live in areas without sufficient access to a primary-care physician. In the next decade, the national physician shortfall could reach more than 124,000. IU School of Medicine is tackling the challenge with two unique programs designed to train and retain physicians where they are needed most: medically underserved rural and urban areas.

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