MHC Insight Supports MSU College of Human Medicine in Strategic Allocation of Rural Residency Programs

Michigan Health Council (MHC), through its research and analysis division MHC Insight, recently partnered with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSUCHM) to strengthen data-informed decision-making within its Rural Track Residency (RTT) programs.

Leadership involved in the MIDOCs program at MSUCHM connected with MIDOCs Executive Director Amy to explore whether MHC Insight could help answer a critical workforce question: Which of their rural residency programs face the greatest need for Psychiatrists and Family Medicine Physicians — and how should future MIDOCs residency positions be distributed to meet that need?

MSUCHM has participated in MIDOCs since 2019 and sought to better understand the extent to which alumni from its residency programs are meeting physician demand in surrounding communities. Specifically, the institution wanted to examine workforce supply in relation to recommended physician-to-population ratios across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

MHC Insight conducted a comprehensive workforce analysis using data from Lightcast and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The team evaluated physician demographics, workforce trends, and projections for Family Medicine Physicians and Psychiatrists from 2020 to 2030 across counties in the region. Counties were then organized into hospital-based catchment areas aligned with each primary teaching hospital associated with MSUCHM’s residency programs.

The findings provided MSUCHM leadership with a clearer picture of current and projected shortages, helping identify which RTT programs may require prioritization in future residency cohorts. Following the presentation of results, MSUCHM shared that the analysis offered valuable clarity in determining how to strategically allocate MIDOCs-supported residency slots moving forward.

This collaboration reflects MHC Insight's broader role in supporting data-driven healthcare workforce planning across Michigan. By pairing deep labor market analytics with an understanding of medical education and program administration, MHC Insight helps academic institutions, health systems, and policymakers align training capacity with real community needs.

As the administrator of the MIDOCs program, MHC remains committed to strengthening Michigan’s physician pipeline, ensuring that physicians train and remain in the communities that need them most.

Organizations seeking strategic workforce analysis or program evaluation support are encouraged to connect with MHC Insight to explore how data can inform smarter decisions.