HAGERSTOWN, Md., Oct. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Community leaders and supporters have been joined by elected officials, together with Governor Larry Hogan underneath a sunny sky Tuesday afternoon to celebrate a formidable milestone for a proposed medical college in Hagerstown – a groundbreaking ceremony for the college’s 200,000 square-foot tutorial medical constructing.
Officials from Meritus Health, together with Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., president and CEO, reminded attendees of why the four-year osteopathic medical college is required at the ceremony.
“There are not enough physicians in the nation, in Maryland, or in our region,” Joshi mentioned. “Maryland is graduating the fewest medical students, per population, in the nation. Our proposed medical school would help reduce this gap by preparing future generations of physicians who are professionally accomplished, socially responsible, and community oriented.”
Governor Hogan supplied accolades of Joshi’s management and imaginative and prescient to create an area resolution to a difficult hole.
“With the toll the pandemic took on our healthcare workforce, we know that there is a pressing need to hire and train more physicians in the future, especially in our rural communities. And today, once again, Meritus is answering the call,” Governor Hogan mentioned.
The Building
The future tutorial constructing, located on the present Meritus Health campus off Robinwood Drive, will boast 5 tales full with a convention heart, lecture halls, a library, simulation heart, digital and gross anatomy lab and osteopathic manipulative medication lab.
“This building will support the innovative curriculum being developed by our dean, Dr. Paula Gregory, providing students with state-of-the-art equipment and learning facilities,” Joshi mentioned. “But it is so much more than a building, it’s a commitment to our community that we care about the future of health.”
Seeking Accreditation
The development of a tutorial constructing is a crucial step in the accreditation course of.
In early July, Meritus introduced plans to formally transfer ahead with the accreditation and licensure course of to open a medical college in Hagerstown. Meritus is carefully following the pointers and course of outlined by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
COCA requires a proposed college to have a dean in place three years earlier than welcoming its top quality of scholars. Dr. Gregory was employed in June, to help Meritus in the pursuit of accreditation and function the inaugural dean for the proposed college.
The subsequent requirement, creation of medical partnerships, has began, with sturdy help throughout the area, in accordance with Joshi.
“We continue to find strong partners in the region who are thrilled to hear of our proposed medical school. Many healthcare providers continue to struggle to live up to their missions with the current shortage of physicians. They are looking forward to collaborating with us to support the education of these students through clinical rotations,” he mentioned.
Other necessities embrace the tutorial constructing, creating curriculum, insurance policies and procedures, and hiring school and workers. Following that timeline, the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine might welcome its top quality of scholars in the fall of 2025.
“To be able to bring an institution of this caliber to our community is an honor for Meritus, and we are thankful for the backing and support of the state and local community. This is a game changer for Washington County and Maryland,” Joshi mentioned.
Economic Impact
An impartial financial affect research carried out by Tripp Umbach reveals the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine will convey appreciable financial affect to the area.
Capital impacts from 2023-2026 are estimated at $268 million {dollars}, with 1,595 jobs created and estimated tax income of $6.2 million {dollars}.
Once the college welcomes its top quality, an estimated $500 million of financial affect is predicted between the years of 2025 and 2030, with greater than $120 million, per 12 months, to the Maryland GDP yearly past 2030.
“We know that health, education and the economy are all connected. Improving the economy of our region also enhances the health and wellness of our neighbors,” Joshi mentioned. “We are thrilled to have a project that will improve and enhance so many important factors related to the quality of life in Washington County.”
More data on the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medical could be discovered at MeritusHealth.com.
- The proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine throughout groundbreaking ceremony
