In response to an increasing shortage of healthcare providers in Polk County, Florida Polytechnic University and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine have unveiled a new program that will allow students to earn a medical degree in six years, accelerating the process for training future doctors.

Polk County currently has significantly fewer doctors, dentists, and pediatricians per 100,000 residents than the Florida average. This shortage is attributed to the area’s rapid population growth.

There has also been a reported rise in emergency room visits that are not urgent and are related to managing chronic diseases, mainly due to limited access to primary care services.

Drone angle view of Lakeland, Florida in Polk County with Mirror Lake and city skyline. (Michael Warren)

The program will be highly selective, accepting only 20 exceptional students annually. Eligible students must have a minimum SAT score of 1390, an ACT score of 31, and a GPA of 3.5. Notably, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) will not be a requirement.

This is a transformative opportunity for students who want to become physicians and are eager to begin serving their communities. (iStock)

“This offers a groundbreaking path for aspiring physicians eager to serve their communities,” Stephenson commented. “By merging comprehensive STEM education with a direct, accelerated route to medical school, we are redefining health education and responding to a critical demand for doctors in Florida and beyond. This initiative aligns with Florida Poly’s 25|30 Strategic Plan’s goal to increase capacity through strategic partnerships, enhancing our impact as leaders in innovation.”

The aim of this program is to quickly, affordably, and effectively educate local students to become physicians, thereby meeting the expanding healthcare needs of Florida by selecting high-achieving applicants and foregoing the MCAT requirement.