Exploring a College of Osteopathic Medicine

The University of Northern Colorado is creating a College of Osteopathic Medicine – a project that will expand our program offerings in the health sciences and position the university to better meet the workforce needs of the state and region. A College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNC will greatly enhance the strength, health and prosperity of our people and our communities. 

Contact

Dr. Beth Longenecker, Founding Dean
Norma Juarez, Special Assistant to Senior Leadership

Background

An osteopathic medical college at UNC will be the third medical school in Colorado and will 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. The HRSA also identifies that 59 of the 63 counties in the state contain regions designated as health professional shortage areas (HPSA) in primary care. 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. 

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 will begin instruction as early as fall 2025 and no later than fall 2026. With 40 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States – only seven of which are at public colleges and universities – UNC-COM would be joining a select group of D.O. colleges that will attract students from not just Colorado and the region, but across the country.

Mission

To provide a transformative education in a culture that cultivates proficiency, inclusion, collaboration, mentorship and professionalism. We inspire our students to become caring physicians who embrace their identity, deliver patient-centered care, promote health equity and positively impact the patients and communities they serve.

Vision

The College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNC is committed to achieving its vision of:

• Being a national leader in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in medical education. 
• Positively impacting the physician workforce in Colorado and the High Plains region.
• Graduating students who are highly regarded by fellow physicians, health care teams and patients.
• Being an innovator in interprofessional medical education.
• Preparing graduates for opportunities to practice in rural and underserved communities.
• Ensuring graduates understand the critical role the primary care physician plays in patient wellbeing.

Values

Osteopathic Philosophy

• We recognize that people are comprised of mind, body and spirit and seek ways to foster wellness across this spectrum, not just for our patients but for our students, faculty and staff.
• We integrate the tenets of osteopathic medicine within the full spectrum of the curriculum.

Diversity

• We value and respect all perspectives and experiences as we acknowledge that these are shaped by the identities that we hold as individuals. 
• We foster a culture of inclusion.
• We actively seek diversity and promote equity and social justice. 

Community

• We actively partner with our colleagues across the university to create opportunities for cross-disciplinary teaching, learning and innovation.
• We work with our healthcare partners in ways that provide value to both our students and to those engaged in clinical teaching.
• We recognize the impact of the community on individual wellbeing and educate our students on the principles of community-focused care.
• Our students, faculty and staff advocate for social change that will improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.

Lifelong learning

• We prepare our students for a career that requires them to continually learn and apply evolving concepts and new discoveries.
  Our faculty and staff participate in learning experiences that allow them to further develop their skills and explore their career trajectory.
• We support graduate medical education (GME) programs within our community and assist in the development of new GME programs.

Service

• Our students, faculty,and staff serve others through participation on university and community committees, mentorship and engagement with service projects.
• Our students, faculty and staff serve their profession through active membership and leadership roles in professional societies.