URI hires Tripp Umbach for medical‑school feasibility study; final report due in June

The University of Rhode Island has engaged Tripp Umbach to conduct a feasibility study and economic impact analysis for a possible URI College of Medicine, Provost Barbara Wolf told the Academic Affairs and Research Committee on Feb. 5.

The study, which Tripp Umbach began work on in January, will examine multiple components including a needs assessment, clinical training evaluation, program model feasibility, a financial feasibility assessment and a preliminary budget and funding requirements. Provost Wolf said the university expects the firm to submit a final report in June.

Nut graf: The committee was briefed on an expedited timeline and a broad scope for the study, which will include interviews with stakeholders across Rhode Island and targeted outreach to the special legislative commission that was formed to study primary‑care workforce needs and a state medical school at URI.

Provost Wolf told the committee that Tripp Umbach will interview key stakeholders statewide, beginning with members of the special legislative commission established to study Rhode Island's primary‑care workforce and the possibility of a state medical school. Wolf identified Senator Pam Lauria and President Perlaude as co‑chairs of that commission and named board chair Margo Cook, vice chair Armand Sabatoni, Tom Ryan and URI deans from health‑related colleges as participants in the commission's work.

The study will assess clinical training capacity, program models (MD and DO models), financial feasibility, and the anticipated economic, social and health care impact of creating a medical school tied to URI. Wolf said the study will develop a cost‑benefit analysis and identify preliminary funding requirements that the university and stakeholders can review.

Ending: Wolf said the provost’s office and the study team will keep the committee and the board updated as the work proceeds.