IUP has announced the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine has earned “candidate” status from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
The new status means that the university has completed the required planning for the school and they have the resources necessary to apply for pre-accreditation status within two years. In a statement, IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll said that the university has been moving very quickly to develop the new college, which is meant to address the rural healthcare crisis in the state, especially with a lack of primary care physicians in rural areas. Driscoll said that “Our proposed college of osteopathic medicine will truly be lifechanging for our university, our community, our region, and the commonwealth.”
He also thanked Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, State Senator Joe Pittman and State Representative Jim Struzzi for their help in getting grant money for the program, along with all the private donors that have contributed and those who have worked with the school on getting the program to this point.
IUP’s Council of Trustees endorsed the exploration of a possible osteopathic medicine school in December of 2022.
