Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center is celebrating the anniversary of its Graduate Medical Education (GME) Center, recognizing five years of growth, innovation and community impact through physician and health care professional training.
Established in 2021 through the vision and generosity of supporters of the Mercy Health Foundation Greater Lima, the GME Center was created to strengthen the region's health care workforce by training future physicians and other health care professionals locally. Over the past five years, it has become a thriving academic hub supporting residency programs in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine and Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, along with fellowships and training programs in health care administration, psychology and pharmacy.
"What began as an investment in medical education has become an investment in the future health of our entire community," said Sara Ambroza, President of Mercy Health Foundation Greater Lima. "Five years ago, our donors believed training health care professionals locally would create lasting benefits for patients and families throughout the region. Today, we are seeing that vision become reality through improved access to care, workforce development and physicians who choose to build their careers here."
Since opening, the GME Center has supported more than 9,200 learners, facilitated nearly 500 simulation experiences and delivered more than 28,000 learner training hours. The center also has hosted 177 graduate medical education events and more than 300 interprofessional and community education activities.
One of the center's most significant measures of success has been physician retention. Approximately 35% of graduates from Mercy Health - St. Rita's training programs have remained in the region to practice medicine, helping address critical workforce needs and improve access to care for local residents. Additionally, 39 graduates now practice within Bon Secours Mercy Health or on the Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Staff, while many others have pursued advanced specialty fellowships.
The GME Center has also expanded access to behavioral health services through its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship Program. During its inaugural year, the program helped reduce patient wait times for psychology services from approximately 18 - 24 months to fewer than six months, while training future behavioral health professionals.
"The Graduate Medical Education Center reflects our commitment to investing in people and building healthier communities," said Ronda Lehman, president, Mercy Health — Lima. "Over the past five years, we've seen this program strengthen patient care, advance innovation and develop the next generation of health care professionals, helping ensure our region has access to exceptional care for years to come."
This past year marked additional milestones with the successful completion of the inaugural Health Care Administration Leadership and Management Fellowship and the first cohort of psychology interns, both of which have contributed to workforce development and interdisciplinary collaboration across the organization.
As Mercy Health celebrates this milestone, leaders remain focused on the future, including continued investments in simulation-based education, research, leadership development, faculty support and physician workforce retention. The center also continues to inspire future health care professionals through community initiatives such as Health Care Futures Day, which has introduced more than 2,000 high school students to careers in health care. To learn more about the GME Center, including its impact and programs, visit mercy.com.