Creighton University and CHI Health working to combat rural doctor shortage

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - According to Creighton University and CHI Health, 90 out of Nebraska's 93 counties struggle with finding enough doctors.

The two organizations are now teaming up to combat this shortage by sending residents out to rural hospitals in order for them to receive training and alleviate the shortage at the same time.

The plan is after finishing their first year of training at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy in Omaha, the internal medicine residents began their training at Good Samaritan on Nov. 5. The psychiatric residents will follow in May 2025, relocating from Omaha to Kearney to train at CHI Health Richard Young Behavioral Health Medical Center.

Dr. Abubakar Tauseef, the program's newly-appointed site director, will play a significant role in the day-to-day operations of the program and will guide and support the residents during their training at Good Samaritan. The site director for the psychiatric residents has not been named yet.

"The need for skilled healthcare providers in rural areas is urgent," said Dr. Tauseef. "Our Rural Track program meets this challenge by offering a comprehensive education to ensure all Nebraskans have access to top-quality medical care. I'm excited to create a supportive environment for our residents and contribute to strengthening the healthcare system in the region."

The first group of internal medicine residents includes Drs. Muhammad Sikandar Karim, Narmada Lavu, Rutvij Patel, and Naimatullah Abdul Rahim. Over the next 20 months, they will provide care at Good Samaritan's 236-bed hospital and specialty care clinics before launching their professional careers in medicine.