Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (original) (raw)
Innovating for the Commonwealth: Exploring the Potential for a College of Osteopathic Medicine
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is exploring the possibility of offering a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. As the School of Opportunity, EKU is committed to meeting the rising healthcare needs in the state by seeking to introduce a new and cost-effective medical education program in Kentucky.
“It is our commitment to our students and the Commonwealth to continuously analyze the market and innovate to meet the needs of our community and beyond. Shortages in the healthcare workforce, especially recognized in eastern Kentucky and rural parts of the state, spurred us to ask how EKU can help fill these workforce gaps.”
- Dr.David McFaddin
EKU President
Kentucky Needs Physicians
94%
94% of Kentucky’s counties already have a shortage of primary care providers
27%
Only 27% of the Kentucky physicians who completed residency between 2013 to 2022 are practicing in medically underserved areas in the Commonwealth.
17%
Only 17% of Kentucky’s primary care physicians practice in rural areas.
Taskforce Steering Committee Members
- Colleen Chaney, Chief of Staff and Chief Communications Officer
- Dr. Daniel Czech, Dean of the College of Health Sciences
- Dana Fohl, University Counsel
- Brad Hall, Executive-in-Residence – Presidential Fellow for Strategic Initiatives
- Brian Mullins, Interim Vice President for Finance/Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Mary Beth Neiser, Vice President of University Development and Alumni Engagement
- Amy Scarborough, Chief Government, Community and Corporate Relations Officer
- Dr. Tanlee Wasson, Senior Vice President for Student Success, Engagement, and Opportunity
- Dr. Sara Zeigler, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
In the News
- October 2024
- EKU College of Osteopathic Medicine feasibility study progressing
- June 2024
- Eastern Kentucky University combating healthcare workforce shortages in central Appalachia
- March 2024
- Eastern Kentucky University looking to offer new medical degree
- Kentucky Newsmakers 3/3: EKU President David McFaddin; author Nick Rowe
- EKU pre-med student sees proposed D.O. school as a chance to serve region
- Proposed bill: Eastern Kentucky University could add osteopathic medicine degrees
- February 2024
- TLR original: EKU has bold idea to improve primary healthcare in Kentucky
- Legislature returns for second half of session
- House bill would grant EKU the right to offer postgraduate osteopathic medicine degrees
- Kentucky House passes bills allowing new academic roles for Murray State and Eastern Kentucky
- House unanimously approves bill to allow EKU to offer Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees
- House Education committee approves HB 407
- Kentucky House passes bills allowing new academic roles for Eastern Kentucky
- Exploring Unconventional Solutions to Address the Healthcare Provider Shortage: The Intersection of Human and Veterinary Medicine
- State House approves new bill for medical, veterinary schools
- January 2023
- Eastern Kentucky University to launch study for potential College of Osteopathic Medicine
- WATCH | EKU considering opening public college of osteopathic medicine
- EKU plans to study feasibility of training osteopathic physicians
- EKU Launches Feasibility Study for a College of Osteopathic Medicine