A New Chapter Begins: UNC Opens its College of Osteopathic Medicine

After years of planning, construction and anticipation, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) officially opened its new College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) on Friday, July 24, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Over 1,000 people registered for the event, celebrating one of the most significant milestones in the university’s history.

University leaders were joined by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, state and local elected officials, leaders from The Weld Trust, donors, community partners, students, faculty, staff and friends. Together, they celebrated the partnerships that made Colorado’s third and newest medical college possible, including state support and The Weld Trust’s, transformational $25 million gift.

Reflecting on UNC’s history, President Andy Feinstein drew a connection between the university’s founding in 1889 — to prepare teachers to serve in communities across the state — and today’s need for more physicians.

Standing in front of the new college, he said the ribbon stretched across the length of the entrance represented years of belief, risk, advocacy, partnership and perseverance.

“A regional public university does not look at a project that requires new laws, new funding, accreditation, clinical partnerships, faculty recruitment, community trust and hundreds of millions of dollars and say, ‘Sure, that should be simple.’

“It was not simple,” Feinstein said.

“But Colorado had a need. Our communities and health care partners had a need. Rural and underserved communities were telling us what they had been saying for years: we need more physicians. We need doctors who understand our communities and will stay connected to them.”

Feinstein said that, much like in 1889, the university once again faced a defining question:

“Will UNC answer the call?’

“Today, the answer stands behind me,” said Feinstein.

Following the 2 p.m. ribbon cutting, guests explored the grounds and the interior of the new facility, including advanced simulation labs, anatomy and active learning spaces and other features that will support the next generation of medical education in Colorado.

The celebration concluded that evening with another milestone — the college’s inaugural White Coat Ceremony inside the Campus Commons Performance Hall — officially welcoming the 80 new medical students who began classes on Monday, July 27.

According to Beth Longenecker, DO, founding dean of the COM, the white coat ceremony has been a rite of passage for incoming medical students since the early 1990s. It recognizes that students begin to develop empathy, compassion and their professional identity from the instant they begin medical school.

“Today is a moment to celebrate. It is also an invitation to embrace the responsibilities that come with caring for others,” Longenecker said as she addressed the students. “Medicine is a lifelong pursuit of excellence, curiosity and continuous learning. I know that we speak a lot about responsibility today, don’t let that scare you. There will be moments of challenge and uncertainty, but these will be balanced by extraordinary opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of your patients and communities.”

Together, the two events marked more than the opening of a new building. They marked the beginning of a new chapter for UNC and for health care in Colorado. The ribbon cutting celebrated the completion of the college’s new home, while the White Coat Ceremony recognized the students who will give it purpose as they begin preparing to serve patients and communities across Colorado and beyond.