Tales from the physician shortage: Florida town wants to make primary care physician a job offer they can't refuse

Author(s):

Chris Mazzolini

Key Takeaways

Havana, Florida, seeks a new primary care physician, offering free rent and medical equipment to attract candidates.
The physician shortage in the U.S. is exacerbated by an aging population and retiring doctors, impacting healthcare access.
By 2036, the U.S. may face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians, affecting over 83 million patients' access to primary care.

The patient waiting room of the Havana Medical Center in Havana, Florida, where Mark Newberry practiced as a family doctor for 30 years. Newberry retired in December and town officials launched a search for a new doctor to practice in the medical center rent-free.

Credit: Daniel Chang/KFF Health News

The small town of Havana, Florida, is looking for a new primary care physician. They are offering some perks.

According to an article in KFF Health News, the family physician who has served a panel of about 2,000 patients retired in December, and now the town of about 1,700 residents needs a new doctor to step in and fill the void.

To sweeten the pot, the town is offering some perks, including free rent at the existing practice location and a bunch of equipment owned by the town. Here's the "now hiring" post:

Town of Havana is seeking a primary care physician (family medicine or internal medicine) to provide medical care in our community. Havana’s current local physician is retiring and has 2,000 patients in practice. Candidates must be board certified or board eligible, and be able to obtain a Florida License. Town of Havana will provide a medical facility rent-free, along with X-Ray machine, Ultrasound machine, DEXA Scan, all of which are owned by the town. The physician will be responsible for all insurance, utilities, and maintenance of the building, and any other costs associated with running a practice.

This is one small example of the reality of the physician shortage, caused by the impact of both an aging population in need of more health services and an aging physician workforce nearing retirement. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2036, the U.S. could experience a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians. More than 83 million U.S. patients reside in areas lacking sufficient access to primary care physicians.

Are you a physician out there interested in heading to a small town to care for patients in need? Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to manager@townofhavana.com.