Bassett Healthcare and Columbia University Medical Center are teaming up.

They're launching a student medical training program in Cooperstown.

As Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us, the new program is designed to attract doctors to practice medicine in rural areas.

These doctors are changing the model of medical training at Columbia University.

The University plans to open a branch campus at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.

"It's an opportunity to get an absolutely first class medical education and not spend the entire 4 years in an urban place." said Columbia Assistant Dean for Education Dr. Henry Weil.

"Columbia University in the City of New York...and today, we're showing it's also Columbia University in the State of New York." said Columbia Executive Vice President for Health & Biomedical Sciences
Dr. Lee Goldman.

The students will spend a year and a half studying at Columbia in New York City.

Then, they'll spend two and half years here in Cooperstown for their clinical training.

"Their coming here will bring a surge of energy and activity, which we have not seen before." said Bassett Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Thomas Morris.

Students will focus on primary care and rural medicine.

The program is designed to train students to practice in rural areas, where there's a shortage of doctors.

"Where will the physicians of the future come from? And there's a lot of anxiety in rural and upstate New York." said New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Richard Daines.

The Association of American Medical Colleges is looking to increase enrollment nationwide by 30% to address the shortage.

Bassett and Columbia hope a new generation of doctors can help where they're most needed.

"The students who are considering medical school absolutely love what they hear about this program." said Weil.

Columbia's already recruiting students at small colleges and universities in New York State.

Columbia says it'll accept 14 students each year.

They'll start the program beginning in August 2010 at the New York City campus.

The students will arrive at Bassett, in Cooperstown, in January 2012.