Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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This week on Lively, we’re asking a big question for the Ocean State’s future: Should the University of Rhode Island open a public medical school?

A new study finds URI is well-positioned to help solve Rhode Island’s growing shortage of primary care physicians — and could help keep top local students and talent in-state. Moderator Jim Hummel digs into the findings with attorney and former prosecutor Eva-Marie Mancuso and political contributor Don Roach, exploring the costs, benefits, and political hurdles of launching a new medical school at URI.

Could a URI med school change healthcare — and higher education — in Rhode Island? Tune in for the full debate.

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