CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The University of North Carolina's medical school is developing a master's degree program with Fort Bragg's Army Special Operations Command to help highly trained combat medics qualify for civilian jobs as physician assistants.
The effort announced Monday is designed to help the medical specialists who are part of small Special Forces units to transfer their skills into well-paying civilian jobs. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina pledges $1.2 million over four years to help the get the program started.
If the UNC Board of Governors approves adding the degree, the first class of student veterans could enroll in 2015.
Students will train at UNC Hospitals and free clinics around the state. The program's training will focus on primary care to meet the needs of underserved communities.
