KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences' (KCU) College of Osteopathic Medicine, the largest medical school in Missouri and 10th largest medical school in the country, received approval from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) to develop an additional medical school campus in Joplin, Mo. KCU plans to matriculate an additional 150 students per year in the doctor of osteopathic medicine program at the new campus site.
"The expansion of KCU to an additional location marks a significant moment for our University, and an opportunity to help address the rural health care needs for Missouri and the region," said Marc B. Hahn, D.O., president and chief executive officer, KCU. "As the second leading educator of physicians for Missouri and Kansas, and with nearly 40% of our graduates practicing medicine in rural areas, this was a logical decision for us."
Since its founding in 1916, KCU has been committed to excellence in the education of highly qualified physicians, scientists, bioethicists and health professionals. Today, there are over 7,150 graduates of the University practicing medicine in all 50 states and around the globe.
The KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine Joplin campus will be the first new medical school location to open in Missouri in 44 years.
"This important investment by KCU will further strengthen Joplin's two major hospitals and bolster the city's position as a hub for health services and innovation for the four-state region," Gov. Nixon said. "I applaud KCU for making this forward-looking investment and congratulate the City of Joplin on achieving another significant milestone that will improve the region's health and economy for years to come."
The development of the KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine Joplin campus will be a collaborative effort involving Mercy Hospital Joplin, Freeman Health System, the city of Joplin and philanthropic leadership from the surrounding community.
To serve as the site of the medical school's new Joplin campus, Mercy plans to donate the property and facility that served as its temporary hospital from 2012 until the opening of the new Mercy Hospital Joplin last weekend. The 150,000-square-foot facility, which was constructed by Mercy at a cost of $100 million and has a property value of $5.5 million, will enable KCU and its partners to move quickly in establishing the campus, with a planned 2017 start date for the first medical school class. Mercy is awaiting final approval of the donation from the Vatican.
"Mercy couldn't be more delighted to support KCU and the education of new physicians by enabling our former hospital facility to be repurposed as a place of learning," said Gary Pulsipher, president of Mercy Hospital Joplin. "The entire region will benefit from the addition of highly-trained physicians to support the health care needs of our communities."
According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the primary care physician shortage in this country is projected to exceed 50,000 in 2025, greater than any other specialty. The total physician shortage across all specializations is projected to reach more than 100,000.
Missouri is ranked 36th in America's Health Rankings 2014 report, a comprehensive analysis of national health on a state-by-state basis published by United Health Foundation. Significant indicators in the report identify the need for more primary care and specialty physicians for our state and region. These indicators include high patient to physician ratios, high rates of premature births and preventable hospitalizations due to decreased access to preventive care.
The Joplin community and its medical providers through the Joplin Regional Medical School Alliance (JRMSA) have demonstrated strong support for this project by pledging $30 million to assist in the development of the Joplin campus. Freeman Health System, a hospital with over 40 years of experience in graduate medical education, has pledged a multi-million dollar gift for the establishment of a Joplin campus. In addition, Freeman Health System has made a commitment to provide residency and training opportunities for KCU Joplin students.
"Freeman Health System is honored to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with KCU in the establishment of a medical school campus in Joplin, Missouri," said Paula Baker, president and CEO of Freeman Health System. "KCU has distinguished itself as a national leader in the education and training of physicians. This expansion to Southwest Missouri is transformative in terms of medical quality and access. The ability to train physicians right here in Joplin will revolutionize medical care for our region, which is currently underserved in terms of physician capacity."
"I am very thankful KCU chose the Joplin area for this new campus. This expansion will have a huge positive effect on the area, including a projected annual economic impact of more than $100 million once fully operational," said Rudy Farber, chairman at Community Bank & Trust. "By partnering with KCU, we will be working with a fully accredited institution with a long history of success. This partnership will reduce the time it would take to open a new school by several years. In short, this is a wonderful opportunity for all concerned."
About KCU
The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, founded in 1916, is a fully accredited, private not-for-profit university, with a College of Osteopathic Medicine and a College of Biosciences. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is the oldest medical school in Kansas City, Mo., the largest in the state and the 10th largest in the nation. It is the second-largest provider of physicians within the states of Missouri and Kansas, with 73 percent practicing in a primary care specialty throughout the Midwest region.
About Mercy Hospital Joplin
Mercy is the fifth largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. and serves millions annually. Mercy includes 35 acute care hospitals, four heart hospitals, two children's hospitals, three rehab hospitals and two orthopedic hospitals, nearly 700 clinic and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area's largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2014, Freeman earned 90 individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, children's services and women's services.
Contact:
Lisa Cambridge
Director of Public Relations
(816) 654-7038
(913) 602-8652 (cell)
lcambridge@kcumb.edu
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SOURCE Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCU)
