Osteopathic Medical College Exploration
The University of Northern Colorado is exploring creation of a College of Osteopathic Medicine – a project that would expand UNC’s programmatic offerings in the health sciences and position UNC to enhance its role in meeting the workforce needs of the state and region, positively contributing to the strength, health, and prosperity of our communities.
Contact
Dr. Beth Longenecker, Founding Dean
Norma Juarez, Special Assistant to Senior Leadership
Background
An osteopathic medical college at UNC would become the third medical college, campus, or program in Colorado and would help the state alleviate its shortage of physicians, particularly in rural and underserved communities. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), only 34.6% of the state’s need for physicians is met. Launching an osteopathic medical college will help address shortages that affect access to and the overall quality of healthcare service that is available in the state and region. According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the U.S. is predicted to face a shortage of 54,100 to 139,000 physicians by 2033.
The University of Northern Colorado will meet this challenge and is uniquely positioned to leverage existing programs to amplify positive outcomes for healthcare access and quality across the state. Of tremendous benefit to the success of the project, UNC has long had strong programs in the sciences and health sciences, including nursing, public health, behavioral sciences, biology, chemistry, audiology, speech-language pathology, and other fields. UNC is already exploring ways to leverage synergies among programs to enhance the osteopathic medicine curriculum and students’ academic experience in these other fields. UNC will also leverage revenues to reinvest in growing existing programs to amplify its capacity to support the health and strength of communities across Colorado.
By proceeding on a well-organized timeline from this point through to completion,
it is anticipated that the first class of students would begin instruction as early
as fall 2025. With 40 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States
– only six of which are at public colleges and universities – UNC-COM would be joining
a select group of D.O. colleges that would attract students from not just Colorado
and the region, but across the country.
Communications
April 12, 2022
Press Release - Dr. Beth Longenecker named Founding Dean of UNC's College of Osteopathic Medicine
March 17, 2022
Press Release – UNC Gets Green Light from State to Offer Degree Programs in Osteopathic Medicine, Finalists for Founding Dean Identified
November 15, 2021
Press Release – UNC Moving Forward with Next Steps in Pursuit of Osteopathic Medical School
November 14, 2021
Op-Ed in Greeley Tribune – Working to Fill a Vital Need in our Community, State
November 8, 2021
Message to UNC community – An Update on UNC's Exploration into Developing an Osteopathic Medical School
July 19, 2021
Message to UNC community – UNC to Conduct Feasibility Study Looking Into Osteopathic Medical School
Press Coverage
June 26, 2022
BizWest - UNC seeks new heights with osteopathic medical school
March 17, 2022
Greeley Tribune – State approves University of Northern Colorado plan for osteopathic medical school
March 17, 2022
Colorado Politics – Polis: Full steam ahead on new University of Northern Colorado medical school
January 11, 2022
Colorado Politics – University of Northern Colorado Seeks Legislative Approval for Medical School
December 4, 2021
Greeley Tribune – Banner Medical Group Backs University of Northern Colorado’s Plan to Osteopathic Medical School
November 19, 2021
Loveland Reporter-Herald – UNC Decides to Move Ahead with Osteopathic Medical School at Greeley Campus
November 12, 2021
Greeley Tribune – University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees OKs Start to Accreditation Process, Hiring Dean for Osteopathic Medical School
November 2021 Town Hall
UNC hosted a town hall on November 4, 2021 to discuss the findings of a feasibility study for the Osteopathic Medical College. UNC began working with consulting firm Tripp Umbach in July 2021 to conduct the feasibility study, which included an evaluation of market demand, economic impact, and the capacity and commitment of healthcare providers to support clinical placements. Paul Umbach and Julie Chimel from Tripp Umbach shared the results of the study and members of the university community had the opportunity to ask questions following the presentation.
UNC-COM Founding Dean: Beth Longenecker, DO, MS, FACOEP, FACEP
Dr. Longenecker received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. She completed a one-year rotating internship at Doctor's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio in 1992 and subsequently a residency in emergency medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She continues to be certified in this specialty by the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Longenecker is a member of the inaugural class of the Costin Institute for Osteopathic Medical Educators (2005) and completed the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Healthcare Professions in 2008. She received a master’s degree in medical education and leadership from the University of New England in 2016. She is a 2017 AACOM Health Policy Fellow.
Dr. Longenecker has 20 years of experience in medical education. She began in her new role as the founding dean of the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado in June of 2022.
Prior to this, she served as the Athens Campus Dean at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences at the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, MS. Her previous experience in medical education was at the GME level, serving as emergency medicine residency program director at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach and St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, NY.
Dr. Longenecker is a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). She served as President of the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society (IOMS), holds an appointment on the Bureau of Education of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and serves as a Site Inspector for the AOA Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). She is the osteopathic representative on the GSA COASA MSPE Effective Practices Working Group. She was a trustee on the board of the Foundation for Osteopathic Emergency Medicine (FOEM) (2015-2021) and was a member of the board of directors of the ACOEP from 2005-2014, serving as treasurer in 2011-2012. Dr. Longenecker was a delegate for the state of Illinois at the 2016 and 2017 AOA House of Delegates and is a will be serving as a delegate for the state of Colorado at the AOA business meeting in July 2022.