Senate Joint Resolution No. 44, approved by the 1962 General Assembly, directed the Council of Higher Education to "make a study and report on the role, goals, and extent to which the existing medical schools are meeting the needs for qualified medical practitioners, and whether the State is meeting its obligations and responsibilities in providing adequate opportunities for students, who desire to do so, to obtain a medical education in this state."

The Council of Higher Education has the honor and pleasure to submit herewith a report of that study. A second report entitled "Physicians for Virginia-Part II" is being published in response to the directive of House Bill 229, 1962 General Assembly, asking the Council to "make a careful and comprehensive study of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a private school of medicine in the Tidewater area."

Both studies were conducted under the direction of an advisory committee, with Mr. Thomas C. Boushall of Richmond as Chairman, and Mr. James Gilliam, Jr., of Lynchburg as Vice-Chairman. The remaining members of the advisory committee are listed on page 2 of this report. Mr. James W. Bailey, the Council's Assistant Director for Program Studies, was study director. At its meeting on December 9, 1963, the Council of Higher Education voted to accept and endorse the findings and recommendations of the report.

We wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge publicly our indebtedness to the many persons and organizations in Virginia and elsewhere who contributed their time, information and counsel in the development of this report. These include not only the distinguished members of the advisory committee, but the deans and staffs of the State's two medical schools, the State Health Commissioner, the Virginia Council on Health and Medical Care, the Virginia Board of Medical Examiners, the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U. S. Public Health Service, and several consultants on medical education. Our deep and sincere appreciation to them is herewith extended.

Respectfully submitted,

William Hugh McFarlane, Director