Intermountain Regional Medical Program

The Regional Medical Program was created in 1965 by Congressional action under Public Law 89-239. This law provided for grants to help establish "regional cooperative arrangements among medical schools, research institutions, and hospitals for research and training (including continuing education) and for related demonstrations of patient care in the fields of heart disease, cancer, stroke and related diseases." By means of these "cooperative arrangements," the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases were made available to all patients in need of them, while not interfering with the autonomy of health and medical personnel or institutions. The original emphasis of the programs was placed upon the three major killers: heart disease, cancer and stroke, which were responsible for about 70% of the deaths in the United States.

The Intermountain Regional Medical Program (IRMP) initial pilot projects were authorized in late 1966, and by early 1967 funds were awarded to IRMP, making it one of the first four RMP's in operation. These original projects focused on continuing education and training for physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals in cardiac care, cancer, stroke and information exchange systems, coronary care units, respiratory therapy, and visiting consultants and teachers for rural communities.

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