Washington Regional Medical Center will add 26 new medical residency and fellowship slots after securing $4.5 million from the state legislature. The funding, approved Feb. 26, will expand the UAMS/Washington Regional Graduate Medical Education Program, advancing the region’s ability to train and retain physicians and strengthening the health care workforce pipeline—an essential component of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s economic development efforts.
The expansion follows a 2019 study commissioned by the Northwest Arkansas Council, which identified a physician shortage in the region as a barrier to economic and population growth. Since its launch in 2021, the program has added 50 new residency positions, including 24 in internal medicine. With the latest funding, new programs will be introduced in emergency medicine, neurology, general surgery and transitional year residency, along with fellowships in internal medicine subspecialties, ensuring the region can meet future health care demands.
Investing in medical education is a key strategy for strengthening the region’s economy. Washington Regional estimates the program will contribute over $54 million annually, with each new physician generating approximately $2.4 million in economic activity and creating about 17 additional jobs. The Northwest Arkansas Council has long prioritized workforce expansion as a driver of regional prosperity and these residency slots will play a crucial role in ensuring health care infrastructure keeps pace with rapid population growth.
“Because physicians tend to practice and plant roots near where they complete their residency, funding and support for graduate medical education will ensure our region, and the state, continue to grow the physician pipeline to provide high-quality care to our region—at home,” said Stefanie Pawluk, health care transformation director at the Northwest Arkansas Council.
Washington Regional’s leadership in securing funding for medical residency expansion has set a model for other Arkansas hospitals. Mercy Hospital Fort Smith recently received $4.8 million for new residency slots and an additional $20 million has been allocated for future expansions statewide. The funding, derived from medical marijuana tax revenue, aligns with broader state efforts to support health care access and workforce development.
This expansion builds on an initial $12.5 million legislative investment in 2021, which helped Washington Regional establish its first wave of residency slots. The hospital’s decision to accept a geographic wage reclassification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allowed for an increase in federally funded residency positions despite a national cap. The Northwest Arkansas Council’s Health Care Transformation Division has supported and tracked the program’s progress and continues to advocate for additional resources to meet growing regional demand.
The Northwest Arkansas Council remains committed to initiatives that drive sustainable economic growth, including strengthening the health care workforce. Expanding residency opportunities keeps medical talent in Arkansas, ensuring access to high-quality care while reducing reliance on out-of-state recruitment. As Washington Regional and UAMS continue these efforts, Northwest Arkansas is reinforcing its position as a hub for health care innovation and economic opportunity.
