Tufts doctor aims to heal Massachusetts' primary care crisis

Tufts Medicine executive Dr. Deeb Salem was the brainchild behind the Physician Pathway Act, which was signed into law at the tail end of 2024

By Isabel Hart • Published February 26, 2025 • Updated on February 26, 2025 at 1:38 pm

Dr. Deeb Salem, senior vice president for academic integration at Tufts Medicine worked with the Massachusetts Medical Society to bring the primary care shortage problem to the attention of state government years ago.

The primary care crisis in Massachusetts isn’t getting any better, but under a new state law, thousands of foreign-trained physicians will soon have a way to practice medicine in the state, potentially easing the shortage.

Longtime physician and Tufts Medicine executive Dr. Deeb Salem was the brainchild behind the Physician Pathway Act, which was signed into law at the tail end of 2024. The law stipulates a way for internationally trained physicians to practice primary care in Massachusetts.

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