The governing body that awards accreditation to osteopathic medical schools has approved New York Institute of Technology’s proposal to expand its osteopathic graduate program to Arkansas State University, the colleges announced Thursday.
Following its April 15 meeting, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation approved an initial expansion to Arkansas State that would allow up to 115 new medical students each year.
“Having met all the criteria and receiving the accrediting body’s go-ahead, we will now focus on the steady march toward welcoming medical students in Jonesboro,” said NYIT President Edward Guiliano. “We will immediately turn attention to carefully hiring and developing faculty and staff in Jonesboro, and work with our fine colleagues at Arkansas State University in preparing the facility at the center of their campus to house the educational program.”
“It’s an extraordinary win-win-win situation,” he added, “for the residents of the region who will enjoy improved health services as well as business development, for the state of Arkansas, and for the two universities.”
NYIT’s proposal received regional accreditation last August from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It was initially approved by the Arkansas State University board of trustees in March 2014.
New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on its Old Westbury campus. It has an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. Tuition is approximately $52,000 per year.
As part of the agreement, Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, NYIT’s vice president for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs, will relocate to Arkansas State to serve as dean of the program.
“This is an extraordinary development for the future of not only our institutions, but more importantly for the citizens of Arkansas and the Delta,” said Arkansas State Chancellor Tim Hudson. “We’re grateful to NYIT for seeking to expand its proven, highly regarded osteopathic curriculum for the benefit of students in this region. Their experience in medical education and our experience in meeting the needs of Arkansas and the Delta will lead to positive, transformative results.”
Officials said NYIT plans to invest $6 million of the school’s $10 million in startup costs, with Arkansas State contributing the remaining $4 million to renovate and furnish its Jonesboro campus’s Wilson Hall. NYIT would also fund future startup costs for the school’s first three years.
There is currently one medical school in Arkansas, at the University of Arkansas. Officials said medical students in the region attend colleges in Kansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
Classes are expected to begin during the Fall 2016 semester.
