KENNEWICK, Wash.-- Hospitals in the Tri-Cities continue to expand their reach. Now, they're looking to attract new medical school students to the area to meet the increasing demand for doctors.

Kennewick General Hospital announced Monday that they're starting a residency program for medical students.

It's the first in the Tri-Cities and is just the beginning of more medical programs to come.

Medical residents are the future of health care and local hospitals want them to come here.

After four years of medical school, students must complete a three year residency.

Now, Kennewick General Hospital is setting up the first residency program in the region.

Doctors say residents not only make good future employees but they also improve patient care.

"It is always better patient care when you have residents and medical students in training in hospitals and it keeps physicians up to date and in touch with academic medicine," said Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hawamdeh, Kennewick General Hospital.

KGH hopes student doctors will stay here once they complete their education.

The demand for health care in the Tri-Cities is expanding and many doctors are retiring, which puts a strain on the system. Residencies could change that.

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KGH Announces New Medical School Residency Program