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One Thousand.
That's how many doctors are needed throughout the state...
...according to a report issued by the Healthcare Association of New York State.
>>Statewide, there is a shortage.
But there are some areas where the shortage is a lot more critical.
>A study released earlier this year finds the shortage is
driven largely by the retirement of baby boomers.
The association reports 27% of the state's practicing doctors are over the age of 60,
which means the need will likely continue.
But in Kingston, there's a different trend.
>>There is a group of individuals who had extraordinary foresight
in the late 1970's and early 80's who predicted the shortage
in primary care and started a family medicine residency training program.
>In 1979 the Institute for Family Health teamed up with
Kingston Hospital and created a medical residency program.
Since then, doctors say the program has graduated 150 residents in family medicine.
And about half of them are estimated to have stayed in the mid-Hudson valley.
>>I came here as a resident, and I opted to stay on. And that was 26 years ago.
>Officials say the program's high retention rate has kept
Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley from a shortage.
30 of Health Alliance's roughly 80 primary care physicians are graduates.
>>And if it's a comfortable place to live, which the Hudson Valley
is a very comfortable place to live, and there are good
resources, then it can be a marriage when somebody arrives for residency.
>A recent grant will allow the Institute for Family Health to
bring on 12 more residents, an increase that officials hope
will help continue the area's trend.
In Kingston, Beth Croughan, YNN.