The Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce (OMPW) addresses the shortage of physicians
in Mississippi, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
About the OMPW
The OMPW monitors and evaluates the composition and distribution of Mississippi’s physician workforce and provides assistance and recommendations to the state’s leadership on current and future workforce needs.
Initiatives include:
- Policy development that improves graduate medical education and physician training
- Physician retention and distribution
- Physician workforce projections
- Data and research
The OMPW, with its 21-member advisory board, oversees physician workforce development needs by:
- Supporting the creation of accredited family medicine residency programs in the state, including awarding state financial support for creation of these programs.
- Encouraging the development of an adequate and geographically distributed physician workforce in all specialties with an evolving strategic plan.
- Assessing current numbers and demographics (ages, gender, ethnicity, types of practice and geographic distribution) of the physicians in each medical specialty licensed in Mississippi while developing a robust database of these demographics.
- Assessing the current and future physician workforce needs of Mississippi.
Program Details
The OMPW was created as a state agency in 2012 by House Bill 317 and initially housed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). The Office was transferred to the Mississippi State Department of Health in 2024 through House Bill 1129.
Support for GME Institutions
The OMPW awards financial support to hospitals or entities with an ACGME-accredited Family Medicine residency program or other Graduate Medical Education (GME) program or fellowship. OMPW supports quality improvement and continuation of current GME programs, and supports innovation and planning for future GME initiatives.
GME Statement of Interest
Facilities should submit a statement of interest to express their need for funding to create or sustain residency programs. Please submit a Statement of Interest online to receive a funding application.
GME Payments and Criteria
- GME Program Payments and Program CriteriaDetails from CMS.gov
For questions or information, write to OMPW@msdh.ms.gov or call 601‑576‑7874.
