Rochester, N.Y. - Outside of New York City, New York is not attracting enough doctors to meet the existing need, according to a report by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS).
Among those in highest demand are primary care physicians, urologists, psychiatrists, orthopedic doctors, and several other specialists.
Rochester has not escaped this trend. In fact, the pain is acute.
HANYS states that more than half the hospitals in the Rochester area have cut or eliminated services because too few doctors were available.
"We haven't felt a (drop in the quality of care), but we're certainly fearful that on the horizon, that could change," said Dr. Michael Nazar, a vice president at Unity Health System.
Nancy Adams, Executive Director of Monroe County Medical Society, blames the dearth of doctors on a combination of weather, retirements and a relatively low pay scale in Upstate New York.
"The physicians we have--are aging out--and we're having a hard time replenishing that supply," she said.
To combat this drain, Adams and others have started a program that pays off college debt should a doctor choose to put down roots in the Rochester area.
Dr. Amanda Gorman didn't require such an incentive. The Webster native recently moved back from California. "I moved back mostly to be near family," she said.
Adams says doctors who do take the time to look past the snow realize how appealing it is to practice medicine in the Rochester area.
