Maternity deserts aren’t accidents. They’re the result of a design flaw The doctor shortage is only part of the problem. The rest is how we train them

https://www.statnews.com/2026/06/19/maternity-desert-physician-shortage-obstetrics-pregnancy-residency-south-dakota/ By Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams and Vijay RajputJune 19, 2026 Mitchell-Williams is senior associate dean for medical education at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Rajput is the chair of the department of medical education at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University.