Oregon Tech Announces Plan to Establish College of Osteopathic Medicine to Address Rural Healthcare Crisis
In an effort to combat the critical healthcare provider shortage in rural Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) has announced its plans to establish a new College of Osteopathic Medicine. The proposed medical school will focus on training physicians for practice in Oregon’s rural communities, with the goal of addressing the healthcare crisis that currently leaves 2.5 million Oregonians living in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
The initiative, part of OIT’s broader health and wellness program, aims to create Oregon’s first public osteopathic college of medicine and the second public medical school in the state. Leveraging the university’s expertise in health education and technology, the innovative curriculum will offer accelerated three-year medical degree programs and provide clinical training opportunities throughout the state.
With a focus on primary care and osteopathic medicine, the future College of Osteopathic Medicine seeks to not only produce more physicians for rural practice but also reduce medical education debt and improve health outcomes for rural Oregonians. The initiative has received strong support from community partners, state agencies, and healthcare providers, with plans to conduct a comprehensive planning study to develop a roadmap for establishing the medical school.
According to Dr. Nagi Naganathan, President of Oregon Tech, this initiative represents a transformative opportunity to address Oregon’s rural healthcare crisis while creating economic benefits for the entire state. By training physicians in rural settings, the medical school hopes to bridge the healthcare access gap and improve healthcare outcomes for millions of Oregonians.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
