2008 Woodie Awards
Trustees move forward with med school proposal
By: Nick Persons
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Central Michigan University is one step closer to possibly creating a medical school.
Consultant Dr. Michael Whitcomb of the Association of American Medical Colleges addressed the Board of Trustees for the first time Thursday and encouraged the board to move forward in discussions.
He said the next steps are to narrow down the exact type of medical school the university wants, establish a cost estimate and then develop a formal plan.
"I think there needs to be a visioning exercise, then strategic planning," said Whitcomb, an outside consultant who has been involved in founding four medical schools.
Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Caponigro said while actual fundraising will not start yet, figuring out how the money will be obtained is a necessary step right now.
"I sense that during the calendar year 2008 is when we're going to be able to move on," he said.
Trustee Sam Kottamasu, a radiologist who first suggested the medical school in April, said now CMU has to decide what kind of program to specialize in. In the beginning phases any medical program focuses on education until it gets on its feet, he said.
The three main components - having a facility, identifying funds and developing relationships with community hospitals - are realistic goals, Whitcomb said.
The latter objective is difficult, as the closest hospital of sufficient size is in Saginaw, he said. Whitcomb stressed the value of connecting with area health networks, giving students clinical education during college and providing residency options after graduation.
"It would have to occur outside of Mount Pleasant," he said. "But I wouldn't call it an obstacle."
Kottamasu agreed, citing other successful programs across the country that have a similar problem.
"That's not going to be a hindrance," he said.
The undertaking of such a program is a daunting task, both strategically and financially. Recent projects at other universities have cost around $50 million, Whitcomb said.
However, Whitcomb said the $50 million price tag often included more research space than CMU would require.
"Starting a new medical building is a complex challenge," Whitcomb said.
However, he said, CMU has done the right thing by examining the feasibility so early.
Demand for new medical facilities is nationwide, so establishing such a program would be beneficial to CMU as well as the economy, Kottamasu said.
"We're trying to improve the medical school program in this country," he said.
news@cm-life.com
Consultant Dr. Michael Whitcomb of the Association of American Medical Colleges addressed the Board of Trustees for the first time Thursday and encouraged the board to move forward in discussions.
He said the next steps are to narrow down the exact type of medical school the university wants, establish a cost estimate and then develop a formal plan.
"I think there needs to be a visioning exercise, then strategic planning," said Whitcomb, an outside consultant who has been involved in founding four medical schools.
Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Caponigro said while actual fundraising will not start yet, figuring out how the money will be obtained is a necessary step right now.
"I sense that during the calendar year 2008 is when we're going to be able to move on," he said.
Trustee Sam Kottamasu, a radiologist who first suggested the medical school in April, said now CMU has to decide what kind of program to specialize in. In the beginning phases any medical program focuses on education until it gets on its feet, he said.
The three main components - having a facility, identifying funds and developing relationships with community hospitals - are realistic goals, Whitcomb said.
The latter objective is difficult, as the closest hospital of sufficient size is in Saginaw, he said. Whitcomb stressed the value of connecting with area health networks, giving students clinical education during college and providing residency options after graduation.
"It would have to occur outside of Mount Pleasant," he said. "But I wouldn't call it an obstacle."
Kottamasu agreed, citing other successful programs across the country that have a similar problem.
"That's not going to be a hindrance," he said.
The undertaking of such a program is a daunting task, both strategically and financially. Recent projects at other universities have cost around $50 million, Whitcomb said.
However, Whitcomb said the $50 million price tag often included more research space than CMU would require.
"Starting a new medical building is a complex challenge," Whitcomb said.
However, he said, CMU has done the right thing by examining the feasibility so early.
Demand for new medical facilities is nationwide, so establishing such a program would be beneficial to CMU as well as the economy, Kottamasu said.
"We're trying to improve the medical school program in this country," he said.
news@cm-life.com
