Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded three grants worth $3,311,928 combined to The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education (WCGME).

The Wright Center provides medical residency training for primary care physicians in northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Teaching Health Center (THC) initiative. The THC initiative addresses physician workforce shortages—particularly in rural and inner-city areas—misdistribution of resources, and escalating health care disparities in the U.S.

“I applaud The Wright Center’s efforts to bring physicians to underserved areas,” said Rep. Cartwright. “Health care is a basic need and a right, and I will continue to be an advocate for federal grants that help improve our health system’s capacity to meet community needs.”

“Our residency programs were designed to empower residents as nimble leaders in an ever-changing healthcare system. We are grateful for the support of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), as it continues to recognize the great need for primary care doctors across America. Through this award, HRSA's reaffirmed investment in our future physician workforce will allow The Wright Center to continue to address the physician shortage and immerse our trainees in community venues where they are most needed,” said Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, President/CEO, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. "We thank Congressman Cartwright for his past and future support of the Teaching Health Center legislation that brings these vital healthcare resources to Northeast Pennsylvania."

The Wright Center is a non-profit organization recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as the largest Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education consortium in the country. Physicians trained in THCs are twice as likely to practice in underserved areas, as compared to those not trained in THCs.