LEWES, DE. (July 15, 2026) – Jefferson leaders joined regional healthcare partners and state officials for a community forum to discuss the vision for Delaware's first medical school, an initiative aimed at addressing physician shortages and enhancing the future of medical education and healthcare statewide.
In June 2026, Gov. Matt Meyer announced that Thomas Jefferson University was selected to establish a four-year regional campus of Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC), marking a major milestone for Delaware as one of three states without a medical school. Pending formal accreditation through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the campus is expected to welcome its inaugural class of 40 students in July 2028.
During the forum at The Virden Retreat Center at the University of Delaware in Sussex County, community members engaged with leaders from Thomas Jefferson University, Beebe Healthcare, the State of Delaware, University of Delaware and key partners from the Delaware Medical School Consortium. Attendees heard firsthand about plans for the new campus and its anticipated impact on workforce development and healthcare access.
“For too long, Delaware students who dreamed of becoming doctors had to leave home to do it and too many never came back,” said Gov. Meyer. "The Delaware medical school will change that. Working with Thomas Jefferson University, we will train our own doctors, get more care to the people who need it and give Delawareans the chance to build their careers serving the communities that raised them.”
“As we work to establish Delaware’s first medical school, we recognize this is more than an institutional milestone, it is a long-term investment in people, communities and the future of healthcare,” said Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, FACC, Chief Executive Officer, Jefferson. “We are committed to build a medical school that reflects Delaware’s needs, creates opportunities for students and helps shape a healthier future for the state.”
“We are honored to be selected to lead this effort, and we recognize that collaboration is essential to ensure success,” said Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, President, Thomas Jefferson University. “Together, with our statewide consortium of partners, we are focused on training the next generation of physicians and improving access to high-quality care for all Delawareans.”
Delaware faces significant physician shortages, particularly in Kent and Sussex counties, where community growth has increased the demand for vital healthcare services. The new regional SKMC campus is designed to address that by having students complete all education and clinical training directly in the state. Research has shown that physicians are more likely to practice in the communities where they train.
“Sussex County is the rural heart of Delaware, and as our community continues to grow, so does the need for more physicians and healthcare professionals,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “That's why this effort is so important, and why Beebe has been championing it for years. When medical students and resident physicians train here, they stay here, build their careers here and care for our community. Together, we are helping create a stronger healthcare workforce that will expand access to care for generations to come.”
“The future of healthcare depends on meeting communities where they are and having clinicians who understand their unique needs,” added Said A. Ibrahim, MD, MPH, MBA, Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College. “By educating and training medical students in Delaware, we are creating a pipeline of future physicians with deep connections and who are committed to caring for the patients and families within their communities.”
During the forum, leaders emphasized the importance of working collaboratively to educate future physicians, expand clinical training opportunities and support the long-term healthcare needs of the communities they serve.
“UD is proud to be a member of this consortium, which reflects a coordinated commitment to improve access to healthcare in the rural communities in Delaware. Building on our long-standing partnership with Thomas Jefferson University and with healthcare systems throughout the state, we will create more opportunities for students to learn, train and remain in Delaware. We are grateful to the governor for his ambitious vision, and to all the partners in the consortium,” said Laura A. Carlson, PhD, President, University of Delaware.
"This partnership represents much more than the opening of a medical school — it is a commitment to the future health of Delaware. By educating physicians here, we are investing in a stronger workforce, expanding access to care and building healthier communities for generations to come," said Neil Hockstein, MD, Delaware Surgeon General. "Jefferson has been an outstanding partner from the very beginning, sharing our belief that medical education should be deeply connected to the communities it serves."
As plans for the new regional medical school campus move forward, Jefferson and its consortium partners remain committed to the shared vision of building a stronger, healthier future for all Delawareans.