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Combating the doctor shortage in WNY

Posted at 11:26 PM, Sep 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-05 23:26:18-04

Msaada Nankumba has only lived in Buffalo for four years, but to him it's home.  He came to the Queen City from a refugee camp after leaving the Republic of Congo.

"I feel like I'm attached to this place," Nankumba said.  He currently is a senior at Canisius College, hoping to become a doctor--just like his father.

"I used to see how he interacted with his patients, healing people who were suffering.  All of that interaction gave me motivation."

But lately, it's hard to find doctors here in Western New York.  To combat this, Canisius and doctors from the Erie County Medical Society hosted dozens of pre-med students from Canisius, Niagara and University at Buffalo to pitch them on returning to work.

While Nankumba may travel downstate for medical school, he said he dreams of practicing one day in the Queen City. And that's exactly what those who organized Wednesday's forum, want to hear.

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