Xavier University approves new medical school | What you need to know
The nation's first Jesuit College of Osteopathic Medicine is coming to Xavier University in 2027, thanks to a unanimous board of trustees vote on Friday.
Xavier President Colleen Hanycz first told The Enquirer about her plan to start a medical school in March on the "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. She said the new school would bring 600 new students to campus, and that Xavier would have the only school of osteopathic medicine in Greater Cincinnati. It would also address growing regional needs for more doctors.
“Our nation is facing a critical shortage of physicians, and the healthcare industry needs new programs high-quality medical schools like this to ensure we can continue to provide the level of care that our communities need and deserve,” TriHealth President and CEO Mark Clement said in a Monday press release. TriHealth partners with Xavier and will continue to collaborate with the university as it launches its medical school.
Clement said the medical school is "the logical next step for Xavier, building on its nationally recognized pre-med program," from which Clement's brother and father both graduated.
Here's what you need to know about Xavier's new medical school.
Who will attend Xavier's new medical school?
There will be about 75 students in Xavier's inaugural class of medical students, according to Monday's release.
The university plans to gradually increase to 150 students per class.
What is osteopathy?
Xavier's new medical college will focus on osteopathy. The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine describes the philosophy as a holistic approach to medicine, where physicians treat "the entire person rather than just the symptoms" and focus on preventive health.
That aligns with the Catholic university's identity and mission to focus on mind, body and spirit, Hanycz said in Monday's news release.
Ohio University has an osteopathic medical school, but this will be the first of its kind in Greater Cincinnati. The University of Cincinnati has a traditional medical school.
When will Xavier's first medical students graduate?
The first College of Osteopathic Medicine students will start their studies in 2027 and graduate in 2031, according to Monday's release.
Where will Xavier house its new medical school?
The medical school will be located in a new medical and sciences complex on Xavier's main campus. Further details have yet to be announced.
Why start a new medical school now?
Xavier is hoping to increase enrollment with the new medical school, Hanycz said. But the region is also in dire need of more physicians.
According to the Robert Graham Center, a national research organization that studies health policy, Ohio must add 681 primary care physicians by 2030 in order to maintain its status quo.
“With nationwide predictions of growing physician shortages in the coming years, we applaud Xavier’s efforts to grow and attract top-tier talent locally so that health care organizations can serve their mission to improve the health of this community," Deborah Hayes, CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network, said in Monday's release. "This is a true testament to their leadership and their commitment to this community. We look forward to working with the university to realize this critical mission.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier University to launch College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2027
