National Medical Fellowships Raises $800K to Tackle U.S. Healthcare Workforce Shortage

National Medical Fellowships (NMF) raised more than $800,000 to support medical students and health professionals at a time when the U.S. faces a shortage of nearly 700,000 physicians, RNs, and LPNs over the next decade.  

Beneficiaries of NMF's programs and champions of its mission came together to celebrate progress, honor leaders advancing access and excellence in health care, and raise critical support for the next generation of medical professionals.

NMF's direct, unrestricted grants often allow students to complete training without disruptive funding gaps; however, the rising cost of medical education remains prohibitive, with minimum costs to graduate from medical school exceeding $286,454 (AAMC). Medical school debt has increased by 1,505% since 1978, far outpacing inflation (Education Data Initiative). A recent Reuters survey found 60% of healthcare workers searching for new jobs would consider staying if tuition assistance were offered.

Hosted by CNN's Danny Freeman, NMF's Gala recognized leaders advancing access to care and opening pathways for future health professionals: Toyin Ajayi, MD, MPhil, Co-Founder and CEO, Cityblock; Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH, President, Commonwealth Fund; Richard E. Besser, MD, President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Linda Gadsby, SVP, General Counsel, Chief DEI Officer, National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME); Usha Lee McFarling, Director, Knight Science Journalism Program; Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, CEO, Vituity; and Ben Vereen, Award-winning Actor and Philanthropist.

"Medical education is financially out of reach for too many talented students, and our nation simply cannot afford to lose them," said Michellene Davis, Esq., President and CEO of NMF. "Support raised at this year's gala helps ensure future providers, including those committed to primary care and medically underserved communities, can complete their training and enter the workforce."