State of Indiana – Graduate Medical Education (GME)
Expanding Medical Training and Strengthening Indiana’s Healthcare Workforce
The Challenge
Established in 2015, the Indiana Graduate Medical Education (GME) Board was created to expand medical training opportunities statewide by funding new residency positions at licensed hospitals and nonprofit organizations. Through grants, technical assistance, and infrastructure support, the board aims to grow the number of physicians practicing in Indiana while improving healthcare access across the state.
How We Helped
In 2022, the Indiana GME Board engaged Tripp Umbach to conduct a comprehensive economic and social impact analysis of residency program expansions initiated under the 2016 funding plan. The study evaluated the direct and indirect economic impact, job creation, tax revenue, and physician retention associated with GME investments. It also measured the long-term value of increased patient care hours and projected future impacts based on planned program growth.
Tripp Umbach found that Indiana’s expanded GME programs generated an annual economic impact of $24.1 million in 2022. By 2024, with an estimated 76 graduates practicing in the state, that impact is projected to more than double. Cumulatively, the program is expected to reach $1.2 billion in economic impact by 2026, with approximately 103 graduates remaining in Indiana to practice.
The study also revealed a strong return on investment—$8.46 for every dollar spent in 2022, projected to rise to $12.56 by 2026—driven largely by local physician retention. Continued investment in GME expansion will allow Indiana to further strengthen its healthcare workforce, enhance access to care, and amplify the long-term economic and social benefits for communities statewide.