Delaware’s first medical school will be a partnership with Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College will establish Delaware’s first medical school in 2028, opening a regional campus in Newark on the University of Delaware’s campus. The program, named the Sidney Kimmel Medical College Delaware Regional Campus, will enroll its first class of 40 students in fall 2028, offering the same curriculum as Jefferson’s Philadelphia campus. Delaware currently lacks a medical school and has faced persistent physician shortages, particularly in rural southern regions like Kent and Sussex Counties. Governor Matt Meyer has advocated for a local medical school to address these gaps, emphasizing the need to train doctors within the state rather than relying on out-of-state graduates. The new campus will leverage Jefferson’s long-standing partnerships with Delaware hospitals and healthcare providers, including a decades-old program reserving medical school seats for Delaware students. The initiative is supported by a $157 million federal grant from the Rural Health Transformation Program, part of a $50 billion national effort to expand rural healthcare access. Delaware has requested an additional $1 billion in funding to improve care in underserved areas. The grant will also provide tuition assistance for students who commit to practicing medicine in southern Delaware for five years after graduation. Jefferson was selected from three competing medical schools due to its established ties to Delaware’s healthcare system and two centuries of medical education experience. Dean Said Ibrahim stated the goal is to deliver high-quality medical training tailored to Delaware’s needs. The state’s decision to partner with an existing institution, rather than building a new program, aims to accelerate implementation and maximize federal funding opportunities.