Scarce physicians encounter scarce foundations: a call for action.

The United States is in the early phases of a deepening shortage of physicians, a situation last experienced fifty years ago. As then, energy and creativity will be needed to meet the nation's needs, and U.S. philanthropic foundations will again be called upon to play leadership roles. The issues are broad--extending from medical education to regulation and from building new schools to recruiting more international medical graduates. Throughout these issues, foundations are uniquely positioned to convene stakeholders, fund analyses, foster new medical education paradigms, and support the growth of its infrastructure. Foundations will be necessary partners in what is to come.