CMU to establish school of medicine
CMU is moving forward with establishing a rurally focused school of medicine to help address an anticipated shortage statewide of 6,000 physicians by 2020.
Extensive feasibility studies confirmed that, as the nation’s 67th largest public university, CMU has a strong foundation of basic sciences, library resources and instructional technology to establish the school.
“This is an important, visionary move that will benefit and address critical needs for the entire state,” CMU President Michael Rao said after the CMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to proceed. “This medical program will help address the future health care needs of 2 million people in a very large geographic region in central and northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.”
Unlike other medical education programs that have treatment clinics and research laboratories, CMU’s program will focus on preparing physicians. The university will leverage and partner with existing programs and resources in both The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions and the College of Science and Technology to establish a school focusing on rural and underserved populations and the diseases most prevalent in mid- and northern Michigan.
Research shows that more than two-thirds of graduates from this type of rurally focused program go on to practice in rural settings.
The next steps in the process include bringing closure to clinical affiliation agreements with appropriate health care organizations and obtaining preliminary school of medicine accreditation through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. •
The details
Program. Four-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program – referred to as an undergraduate medical education – for students who already have completed bachelor’s degrees
Enrollment. Approximately 100 students per year, beginning as early as 2011, spending the first two years studying on campus, where the university already has a significant investment in basic sciences and health professions programs
Affiliations. Off-campus clinical affiliations, yet to be finalized, with regional partner health care institutions where students will complete the final two years of the medical education program
Facilities. Modest addition on the east side of CMU’s Health Professions Building to accommodate up to 200 first- and second-year students, as well as possible facilities with health care partners in the region
More information:
www.cmich.edu/med
