Elk Grove Medical School Construction Begins
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — Construction began on a 108,000-square-foot medical and pharmacy university in Elk Grove.
The shortage of doctors in California has the need for more medical students at an all-time high.
The new facility will be home to the California Northstate University School of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Dr. Alvin Cheung is the president of the college and says there is a growing shortage of doctors in California.
"The demand for medical services is going to increase."
They're hoping to meet the needs of the aging baby boomers. They account for about one-fourth of the U.S. population and that number is growing.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those 65 and older are expected to more than double between 2012 and 2060 from 43.1 million to 92.0 million. Those 85 and older are projected to more than triple from 5.9 million to 18.2 million, or about 4.3 percent of the total population.
The university already owns a school of medicine in Rancho Cordova with a student body of 400. Soon, they'll be moving out of that facility and share space in the new operation in Elk Grove.
"As the baby boomers continue to age, there is going ot be more need for medication and thus pharmacies, services, medication, therapy management services," said Shane Desselle, the dean of pharmacy.
