(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — A new law going into effect Wednesday establishes a new emeritus medical license for Iowa physicians.
Dr. Lillian Erdahl, an Iowa City surgeon, is the president of the Iowa Medical Society
To qualify, an Iowa doctor must be at least 60 years old. Erdahl says emeritus physicians will primarily teach or supervise medical residents just starting their careers.
In 2024, the Iowa Medical Society launched an initiative to expand residency slots at Iowa’s 13 teaching hospitals, where experienced doctors guide recent medical-school graduates. State officials have secured tens of millions of federal dollars to support residency growth, as research shows most doctors wind up practicing in the state where they complete their residency.
Nearly 100 of the 150 Iowa lawmakers voted to create the emeritus license. Representative Austin Baeth — a doctor of internal medicine — was among the 33 legislators who voted against it.
Some other states offer faculty medical licenses, but Baeth says those doctors must still meet continuing-education requirements.
Dr. Erdahl says the goal is to encourage physicians nearing retirement to serve mentors or teachers for the next generation.
Iowa continues to face a physician shortage, and Erdahl says the emeritus license is one of several steps to address the problem.
