Leaders in the more rural parts of the Northland are excited that the University of Minnesota wants to transition their medical school campus in Duluth to a four year program.

RAMS, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, voted on a resolution of support for the construction of a new school in downtown Duluth, which could lead to more rural practitioners.

Both Essentia and Aspirus St. Luke’s are also on board.

WDIO stopped by the Essentia Health-Virginia Clinic on Tuesday. Dr. Lisa Seeber is a family medicine doctor there. “It’s such a blessing for me to practice in a rural area,” she told us.

“We know providers are more likely to practice medicine where they do their training,” Seeber added. “So many of the medical students in Duluth do their rotations in rural areas, including the Iron Range. Investing in a new medical school would enhance the university’s ability to recruit and retain students in Duluth, allowing us to prepare even more clinicians to care for patients in the communities we call home.”

The Duluth City Council is supportive of the project. Ultimately it is up to the U of MN Board of Regents to decide if and when there will be a new campus.