New Osteopathic Medical School Announced!

Source: LMU makes plans for College of Osteopathic MedicineKingsport Times News, TN - Jan 18, 2006


Yet another opportunity to learn OMT!

Lincoln Memorial University officials have announced plans to open a College of Osteopathic Medicine at the college's main campus.
LMU has notified the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges (SACS COC) of school officials' intent to seek accreditation and award doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine.
The new program will become LMU's first level 5 doctorate-level degree program. Approval is required from both SACS COC and the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA) to achieve regional and professional accreditation of the program, said LMU spokeswoman Kate Reagan.
The decision to pursue the osteopathic medicine program was made after a feasibility study was done.
LMU first submitted a letter to AOA COCA requesting applicant status last summer, Reagan said.
"Following the completion of an exhaustive feasibility study by the university ad-hoc steering committee, the LMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to support the development of a College of Osteopathic Medicine," she said. "A pre-accreditation application was accepted, and the university was evaluated by a visiting team from AOA COCA on Oct. 13, 2005."
Pre-accreditation status was granted to the university in December.
Recruitment of students will begin following final accreditation from SACS COC and AOA COCA.
LMU officials set the fall semester of 2007 as a target date for the beginning of classes, Reagan said.
The new school of medicine will be on LMU's main campus in Harrogate.
The first two years of the program will be offered at the main campus, Reagan said. But students will spend most of the last two years working in health care agencies in a corridor extending from Harrogate to Chattanooga. The bulk of clinical training will be conducted in Knoxville.
"Establishment of this College of Osteopathic Medicine will have a significant economic, health care and educational impact on the region," said LMU President Nancy B. Moody. "The growth that will occur as a result of this program will be felt far and wide."