TRENTON – A new report from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) explains how the State's strategic investment in graduate medical education (GME) is delivering measurable results for New Jersey’s health care workforce, with more training happening in New Jersey, more trainees providing care, and more physicians choosing to establish their careers in-state.

New Jersey boosted funding for GME by 39% over the two previous fiscal years, adding $84.5 million in State Fiscal Year 2024 and an additional $10 million in SFY 2025. The Murphy Administration has maintained this enhanced funding level, for a total SFY 2026 investment of $336.5 million. The 2024 GME Survey Summary Report shows that New Jersey's investment in medical training is correlated with increases in the number of trainees and improved physician retention after training.

“More physicians practicing in our State means better access to care, shorter wait times, and specialized medical services closer to home,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “While every state across the country is struggling with health provider shortages, New Jersey has been expanding training pipelines to better meet our communities’ health care needs.”

The data demonstrate a compelling value proposition for New Jersey residents. Of the 1,580 medical residents who completed their training in 2024, 471 (30%) plan to practice medicine in New Jersey. That’s a 20% increase from the previous year, when only 391 residents committed to staying in-state, and it represents the second consecutive year of growth in new physician retention. Fellowship programs show equally promising results, with 118 fellows planning to remain in New Jersey to deliver specialized medical care for New Jerseyans.

New Jersey's 45 teaching hospitals are now training nearly 4,800 residents and fellows, a steady increase that coincides with the State's enhanced funding commitment in New Jersey's medical education infrastructure.

Teaching hospitals incur significant costs in training the next generation of doctors, and the State's funding helps offset these expenses to operate quality training programs.

Given the significant impact of the opioid crisis on families across New Jersey, the subsidy program also requires comprehensive opioid addiction prevention, diagnosis, and treatment education for medical residents and fellows. The 2024 survey confirms 100% compliance across all participating hospitals, ensuring this generation of physicians are equipped to meet this critical public health challenge.

The complete 2024 GME Survey Summary Report provides detailed analysis of training programs across 44 participating teaching hospitals, including the correlation between state investment and physician retention outcomes.

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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 5,500 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey. 

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