Our part of the San Joaquin Valley benefits from arrangements with the University of California at Davis medical school to train doctors. For example, 51 physicians practicing in Stanislaus County completed Davis' family residency program affiliated with the Health Services Agency.

It's easy to imagine that the valley, one of the most medically underserved regions in the state, would benefit further if a medical school were established in Fresno.

The UC system is studying the possibility of establishing another medical school, and three areas, including Fresno, already are developing strategies to persuade the Board of Regents that their locations would be the best. The other two areas pushing for the medical school are in Southern California.

The UC now has medical schools in Davis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Irvine.

The fledgling Fresno plan envisions partnerships with California State University, Fresno, and UC Merced. That wisely leverages the strengths of those institutions.

This is early in the process, and a medical school, if approved for Fresno, would not be built for several years, according to Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes, D-Fresno, who is working on the medical school effort. It also will be tremendously expensive, so this isn't the time for anything but initial planning.

Some Fresnans were sore losers after Merced was chosen for the 10th UC campus. That's a done deal; work is under way. The possibility of a medical school in Fresno would only enhance the reputation of UC Merced, as well as provide high-quality care to valley residents. Conceivably, some of the doctors trained in the valley could choose to stay.

This is one of those long-term projects that will demand regional cooperation and determination. We hope north valley leaders, especially in Merced County, will support Fresno's effort, for the greater good of the region.

Reprinted by permission of The Modesto Bee.