BETHLEHEM, PA - St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network and Temple University School of Medicine are taking immediate steps to address the looming physician shortage-steps that will benefit all Pennsylvanians and, importantly, people living in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Aspiring doctors soon will have the opportunity to earn a medical degree at the newly established Medical School of Temple University/St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network based in Bethlehem. This initiative directly addresses the recommendation by The Association of American Medical Colleges to increase the number of graduate medical students and medical schools in response to the physician shortage. Thirty students will be accepted into the inaugural class beginning August 2011. Special consideration for enrollment will be given to pre-med students from Lehigh University, Moravian College and Muhlenberg College who have achieved academic excellence and are currently enrolled in the "Early Assurance" program through St. Luke's and Temple. It is anticipated that other area colleges and universities also will participate. "I am proud to represent my colleagues serving on the Board of Trustees of St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network, a group of visionary and dedicated leaders who took historic action last week as they unanimously and enthusiastically approved the establishment of The Medical School of Temple University/St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network," says David Lobach, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network. "I also want to commend everyone involved in the planning and execution of this momentous next chapter in the history of both our organizations." Significantly, 50 percent of students who train at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia stay in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to train and later to practice, according to John M. Daly, MD, Dean and Professor of Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine "We expect The Medical School of Temple University/St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network to do just as well or better in keeping qualified well-trained physicians in the Greater Lehigh Valley," he says. "This has become more of a necessity as the population not only grows, but grows older. There is a clear need for more physicians in growing areas like the Lehigh Valley." Obtain Medical Specialty Own-Occupation Disability Insurance On-line