News

10.10.18

Provo Mayor Signs Property Title Transfer Clearing Path to Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Developer obtains property title; design and construction on new East Bay Golf holes to begin.

Following an extensive and productive process working with the Provo Mayor’s office, Provo Municipal Council and other involved parties to approve and obtain the location for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM), Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi signed a title transfer to the developer for Wasatch Educational to acquire the property.

The proposed medical school site location is on approximately 21 acres of the northwestern portion of the East Bay Golf Course, which was approved as surplus property by the Provo Municipal Council in January. An additional 7.8-acre contiguous parcel was purchased by the developer from a private source to expand the site location.

Under the agreement, the developers of the proposed medical education campus, which will include the proposed NCOM campus as well as the relocated Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions campus, will fund relocation costs of three current golf holes to the southeastern portion of the course. These new holes will be designed, relocated and playable before construction on the proposed medical education campus begins possibly by the end of 2018.

“This is an exciting time for Provo,” said Dr. John J. Dougherty, founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of NCOM. “We are grateful for the work of Mayor Kaufusi, the Provo Municipal Council and City Administration to make this all come together for the benefit of the people of Provo and Utah. This planned medical education campus will give the students the opportunity to pursue whatever specialty they choose in medicine helping to address the growing medical shortages throughout the state.”

“Provo is a college town through and through,” said Kaufusi. “Education is at the heart of what we’re all about here. So, I’m very excited about the addition of a proposed medical school here in Provo.”

One of the critical goals of the proposed medical school is to recruit, train, and retain students in Utah. “Our plan is to have no less than 50 percent of our enrolled students from or with ties to Utah,” said Dougherty.

Along with other medical schools in Utah, the proposed NCOM would supply doctors to help offset a growing physician shortage. Research from the Utah Medical Association Council estimates that Utah will need approximately 375 new physicians each year to meet increasing access to healthcare needs. In 2015, the American Medical Association ranked Utah 49th in primary care physicians to population ratio and 43rd in overall physicians to population ratios.

Named after the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation, who funded a significant portion of the money for the project, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine is positioned to be a premier, world-class medical education and research institution. The proposed curriculum will be a new hybrid based on some of the most innovative and progressive medical education programs in North America designed to prepare physicians to provide high-quality healthcare with a focus on wellness.

The Noorda financial commitment, along with a significant funding commitment from the developer, provides the majority of the funds needed for construction and operation of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“The proposed NCOM will not cost the taxpayers a penny and may make a large economic impact to the county each year,” said Dougherty.

According to a recent independent economic impact study by Bonneville Research, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine could potentially provide more than $62 million in the construction business, 236 construction-related jobs and bring more than 121 institution-related employment positions to the county. It may attract other health, medical, biomedical, biotechnology, retail, and related spin-off businesses.

In a later phase, a new Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions campus will be built adjacent to the proposed medical institution. At full operation, the local economic impact of the combined schools could be approximately $100 million annually and could include 1,500 jobs with more than $83 million in the construction business. All of this may increase the property tax base including an estimated $8 million directed to the Provo School District in the first 15 years.

The development plans include significant green space in and around the proposed medical education campus, creating a park-like atmosphere to protect and preserve the environment, nature, wildlife, and birdlife.

“Preserving the natural beauty and environment of the existing East Bay Golf Course and that wildlife and birdlife is undisturbed is one of our highest priorities,” said Dougherty. “We intend to have lots of green space, walking trails, biking trails, and preserving the existing golf course waterways as we design the proposed medical education campus.”

News

6.14.18

RMUoHP Opens Free Center for Communication Disorders

Speech-language pathology clinic open to the public.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) will hold a ribbon cutting and open house for its new Center for Communications Disorders – a free clinic providing speech-language pathology assessment and intervention for community members of all ages.

Friday, June 15
3:30 -5:30 pm
561 E 1860 S, Provo, Utah 84606

The clinic provides speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing assessment and intervention services. It will also provide summer intensive treatment programs. It is under the direction of Wendy Chase, MA CCC-SLP, RMUoHP assistant professor and director of clinical education for MS SLP.

“Many people in our community have no idea they can receive help for communication disorders,” said Chase. “The RMUoHP Center for Communication Disorders provides a valuable service to all people with a variety of different speech disorders that in most cases can be easily identified and treated with professional expertise.”

The clinic is staffed by faculty and students in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP) program at RMUoHP. Services are available to anyone from the community who may be uninsured, or who do not have adequate insurance or where programs are not available.

It is open each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Select appointments are available on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“We are so excited to offer the Center for Communication Disorders to our local community,” said Dr. Richard Nielsen, founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “The clinic helps fulfill our vision to advance the quality, delivery, and efficacy of healthcare.

News

6.11.18

Board Appoints Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine in Provo

Dr. John J. Dougherty to assume responsibilities in July.

The board of directors for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM) today announced the appointment of John J. Dougherty, DO, FACOFP, FAOASM, FAODME as founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Dougherty will shepherd the college through the accreditation process and identify and recruit a renowned team of professionals.

Dougherty’s appointment begins mid-July 2018.

“Dr. Dougherty is a proven transformational leader,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, board member, and vice president of Wasatch Educational, the entity who will manage the development of the medical school. “He has impeccable credentials and experience ensuring the proposed NCOM will become a world-class institution of osteopathic medicine. We are pleased he will join us in the delivery of the highest quality medical education available with this new and advanced medical school.”

Dougherty and his family are relocating to Utah County. They currently reside in Henderson, Nevada where Dougherty served as Dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University Nevada.

“NCOM’s mission falls in line with my personal and professional philosophy,” said Dougherty. “We will focus diligently on accomplishing our accreditation. Our priority will be to gather a team of professionals to craft an innovative curriculum and design a campus that will empower our students with the essential personal and professional skills needed to transform the future of healthcare. It is truly a privilege to be selected to be part of this extraordinary opportunity.”

About Dr. Dougherty

Dougherty has a 26-year history in Osteopathic Medicine with significant experience in College of Osteopathic Medicine leadership and graduate medical education. He is Board certified in Family Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine. Dougherty holds a fellowship in three Osteopathic Colleges – American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, and Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators. He completed the American Osteopathic Association national Health Policy Fellowship and currently instructs for the Fellowship. Dougherty also serves as an inspector for AOASM, ACOFP, Council on Postdoctoral Training, and as Inspection Team Leader for the Council of Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

A full bio of Dougherty’s credentials is available here.

News

6.7.18

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Approximately 2,200 graduates provide healthcare to patients throughout the world

Setting out on a mission to advance the quality, delivery, and efficacy of healthcare to the world, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), an institution of higher education regionally accredited through the US Department of Education, this week celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

Since its founding in 1998, there have been approximately 2,200 graduates of the University’s doctoral and master’s degree programs in different healthcare specialties. Graduates from all 50 states and other countries today treat millions of patients annually in their respective healthcare professions throughout the world. Many are also healthcare educators and administrators within reputable institutions.

“We estimate Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions graduates currently treat tens-of-thousands of patients throughout the country every day,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “The quality of care these patients receive is evidence of the quality of education our graduates experience.”

RMUoHP graduates experience:

a 97% student satisfaction rate
more than a 99% job placement rate
an overall graduation rate of 87%
a national board pass rate of 98-100%

RMUoHP was initially founded to provide post-professional physical therapy education, which included a Master of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree programs. During its two decades, the University expanded its program specialties to include 21 doctoral and master’s degree healthcare education programs and specialty concentration tracks.

The University has a superior record of educational excellence, and is recognized for its evidence-based and meaningful graduate healthcare education. Some of the university’s key academic milestones include:

Terminal Research Degrees (DSc, PhD)—started in 1999

185 potential dissertation committee members
100% pass rate on qualifying core exams

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy post-professional (DPT) —started in 2001

94% graduation rate
2nd transitional DPT program in the U.S.

Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) —started in 2003

95% employment rate
1st post-professional OTD program in the U.S.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) —started in 2006

Over 50% of nursing faculty are nursing academy fellows
95% graduation rate
100% FNP licensure pass rate

Doctor of Physical Therapy entry level (DPT)—started in 2010

51 weeks of clinical education
98% graduation rate
98% NPTE (national board) pass rate

Master of Science in Health Science—started in 2013

89% graduation rate

Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology— (SLP) started in 2014

100% employment rate. First post-professional SLP post-professional limited residency program in the U.S.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies—started in 2015

98% PANCE (boards) certification pass rate

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology entry level —(med SLP) started in 2017

100% academic faculty with terminal degree
100% clinical faculty with specialty certifications

RMUoHP is regionally accredited with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education – the highest achievable in the United States.

“One of the University’s most important milestones includes receiving regional accreditation,” said Nielsen. “Accreditation demonstrates we have met the most stringent higher education academic standards in the United States. It demonstrates to students, faculty, and staff that they are associated with an academic institution of higher education meeting the highest standards and that our students are receiving the highest quality education in the healthcare sciences.”

Additionally, RMUoHP is recognized for the following programmatic accreditation status:

APBTRFE—American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (Accreditation) – First PT neonatology fellowship program in the U.S.
ARC-PA—The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (Provisional Accreditation)
ASHA—Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Hearing-Language Pathology (Accreditation Candidacy)
CAPTE—Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Accreditation)
CCNE—Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(Accreditation)

“It has been an interesting and at times stressful journey,” said Dr. Michael Skurja, co-founder and executive vice president of operations at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “We started by providing a pathway to a doctorate for physical therapy professionals. Today, Rocky Mountain University provides multiple high quality, evidence-based healthcare programs students and graduates can be proud of and that they can use to help people enjoy better health.”

Nielsen said the University would continue to lead the nation in providing innovative and successful specialty healthcare programs that fulfill healthcare needs. Over the last 20 years, it has designed and executed more than 20 graduate healthcare programs with great student outcomes including impactful student preparation to deliver healthcare services.

“We expect and anticipate continuing this leading trend to develop highly sought-after graduate-level healthcare programs,” said Nielsen. “We will continue to be innovative in using technology and transformational education models in academic programming to better prepare our students for their role as healthcare providers and healthcare leaders during their future years.

“We have proven ourselves worthy to be recognized as one of the top leaders of graduate healthcare education in the world.”

Closely associated with RMUoHP’s 20^th Anniversary is the upcoming opening of its new Center for Communication Disorders clinic on June 15. More information is forthcoming.

News

1.10.18

Wasatch Educational to Begin Negotiating with Provo Mayor on Proposed Medical Education Campus

Provo Municipal Council approves northwestern portion of golf course as surplus property.

Wasatch Educational today announced that the Provo Municipal Council approved a resolution Tuesday to surplus the property known as the Northern Wedge of the East Bay Golf course opening the door for Mayor Michelle Kaufusi to begin negotiating terms with them to build a proposed medical education campus on the site.

The six to one vote by the Council clears one of the first major hurdles for Wasatch Educational to eventually build a medical education campus on approximately 21 acres of the northwestern portion of the East Bay Golf Course and a privately owned 7.8 acre parcel of land currently under contract.

“We are pleased to reach this point with the City of Provo,” said Dr. Richard Nielsen, vice president of Wasatch Educational and founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “This has been a collaborative effort with the Provo City administration, Mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and East Bay Golf Course officials. We appreciate everyone’s work and effort that allows us to move forward in negotiating final terms with Mayor Kaufusi for the construction of the medical education campus.”

The resolution placed the location on Provo City’s surplus property list and authorizes Mayor Kaufusi to negotiate concrete terms for the proposed sale with Wasatch Educational, which will be subject to final approval by the Council in a future hearing. The resolution also states the Council approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, based on the terms presented in Tuesday’s Council Meeting.

“Patience is a great trait to have as Mayor,” said Provo Mayor Kaufusi. “I’m grateful all of the parties, including the Provo Parks and Recreation Department, the principals of the proposed medical school, East Bay Golf Course, and the economic development group and City Administration, worked diligently to reach this point. I can guarantee to the Council, that I will negotiate a great deal that everyone can be proud of.”

Under the proposal, the developers of the proposed medical education campus will pay for the relocation of the three current golf holes to the southeastern portion of the course. The new holes will be designed, relocated, and playable before construction on the medical education campus begins.

“A medical school here in Provo will enhance opportunities,” said a Provo resident attending the Council meeting. “From a golfer’s point of view, it improves the golf course. From a health perspective, it enhances opportunities for medical students here in Utah and throughout the West.”

News

1.3.18

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions’ Community Speech Clinic Featured in Daily Herald

The Rocky Mountain Center for Communication Disorders and Differences, which is operated through the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions’ Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, provides free services for the underserved populations in Utah County. The Clinic has partnered with Provo-based resource Encircle to serve the transgender community. This partnership was featured in The Daily Herald on January 2, 2018. Read the complete article here.

News

12.27.17

Wasatch Educational, Provo City Administration, and East Bay Golf Course Contribute to and Agree on Updated Plan for Proposed Medical Education Campus

Proposal Subject to Municipal Council Approval. Golf Course to Continue Offering all Services.

Wasatch Educational updated its proposal to the Provo Municipal Council to build and open a proposed medical education campus that will include the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine and later the home of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions on the North Wedge (northwestern) part of the East Bay Golf Course.

Following a December 5 public meeting regarding the topic, Mayor Michelle Kaufusi encouraged all parties to work together to find a potential solution, which they did. Wasatch Educational, Provo Parks and Recreation, Provo Economic Development, and East Bay Golf course refined the proposal to ensure a better balance between the development and the existing uses of the site.

“As a group, we collaborated to develop consensus and agreement on the proposed medical school location,” said Dr. Richard Nielsen, vice president of Wasatch Educational and founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “We feel great about this updated proposal for the Provo Municipal Council’s consideration. For us, it has always been about working in good faith through the details, listening to the people of Provo, and working to create a solution where everyone benefits. We plan to be great neighbors with the East Bay Golf Course and all who play there including loyal golfers, local high school teams, parents, children and teens, and tournament participants.”

“After listening to all sides regarding this proposal, I encouraged all the parties to work together on creating a solution that would be good for all involved that the Municipal Council could review and hopefully approve,” said Mayor Kaufusi. “I’m glad to see they have done just that. This proposal that will go before the Municipal Council for their consideration has the potential to be a wonderful outcome for our city, for future potential medical students, and for golfers who love and play at East Bay.”

Under the proposal, Wasatch Educational will locate its proposed medical education campus, on approximately 21 acres of the northwestern portion of the East Bay Golf Course and a privately owned 7.8 acre parcel of land currently under contract.

Additionally, the updated proposal includes the following items, all collaboratively agreed upon by Wasatch Educational, the Provo City Administration, the East Bay Golf Course, and Provo City Parks and Recreation:

Scale back the SC-3 Regional Shopping Center Zone to be equal to the North Wedge only, that portion to be developed.
The balance of the golf course that will remain as a golf course be rezoned to PF Public Facility Zone, which includes rezoning the southeast area (former Kuhni Property) from PIC Planned Industrial Commercial Zone to PF.
Request that the Council make a strong statement that they have no intent or desire to expand or make available for development beyond the North Wedge.
Wasatch Education will make a strong statement of support for the recommended changes to the zoning outlined in this proposal.
That a text amendment be approved by Provo City to allow educational uses in the SC-3 Zone.
If Provo City determines to surplus the property, that Wasatch Educational would have the right of first offer.

“We voice our strongest possible support to these zoning recommendations,” said Nielsen. “We are grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to listen to the community and each of these city partners to make these recommendations to the Municipal Council and to the people of Provo.”

The developers of the proposed medical education campus will pay for the relocation of the three current holes to the southeastern portion of the golf course. The new holes will be designed, relocated and playable before construction on the proposed medical education campus begins.

“We feel this revised collaborative proposal provides the opportunity for a proposed medical education campus while giving the current users of the golf course assurances that their activities will not be adversely impacted,” said Scott Henderson, director, Provo City Parks and Recreation.

It should be noted, all information related to this updated proposal is subject to approval by the Provo Municipal Council who contributed to the recommendations during the Dec. 5 public and Municipal Council meeting. A public open house is planned for Jan. 4, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Provo Recreation Center and a public meeting is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2018 during the Municipal Council meeting.

News

12.1.17

Wasatch Educational Revises Offer to Provo City on its Proposed Medical Education Campus

Wasatch Educational today announced a change in its request for an option on the southwestern wedge of the East Bay Golf Course from its proposal to the City of Provo for a proposed medical education campus. Instead, the offer includes a right of first refusal on this section, if Provo City makes the property available in the future.

“Based on the feedback we received from the community and in evaluating outcomes, we believe this is the best solution for us and the community to come to a win-win result,” said Dr. Richard Nielsen, vice president of Wasatch Educational.

The Wasatch Educational proposal, subject to approval by the Provo Municipal Council, recommends building the proposed medical education campus on 21 acres of the northwestern part of the East Bay Golf Course (approximately 11 percent of the total golf course acreage).

The campus would include the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine and a new location for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

“We love Provo,” said Nielsen. “From the very beginning, we wanted to bring this opportunity to Provo. We started here, we work here, we serve here, and we want to stay here.”

Once approved by the Provo Municipal Council, the proposed campus would be built on a three-hole location of the northwestern portion of the golf course and includes an additional, privately-owned parcel directly north of the course, which is under contract for purchase. Provo City would professionally move those three holes of the northwestern part of the golf course to the southeast corner at the expense of the developers.

According to a third-party impact study, if the proposed medical education campus is built, it would provide a positive economic impact for the city, especially for South Provo and the East Bay area. The study demonstrates the result would expand the property tax base, help the Provo School District, create many new jobs and provide many years of further construction business to the area.

These plans include significant green space in and around the proposed campuses, creating a park-like atmosphere to protect and preserve the environment, nature, wildlife, and birdlife.

News

11.24.17

Proposed Medical Institution Coming to Utah County

A new medical education institution may soon come to Utah County, developed by Wasatch Educational (WE).

Named after the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation, who have committed $50 million towards the project, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM) could be a premier medical education and research institution offering innovative and transformational curriculum and advanced medical technology focused on preparing physicians to provide high-quality healthcare services including preventative care to help people stay well.

The commitment, along with a significant commitment from the developer, provides most of the funds needed for construction and operation of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“We are honored to partner with the Noorda Foundation and our other partners to bring the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine to Utah County,” said Dr. Michael Skurja, president of WE. “We believe the institution may inspire and motivate local students to pursue a career in medicine and may provide a community choice for those already committed to a medical career while providing an increase in the quality of life for the people of Utah.”

There are a few Utah County site locations for the proposed NCOM now under consideration. WE has submitted a site proposal for its preferred location in Provo to the Municipal Council for consideration. The proposal is subject to approval by that body.

“Potential graduates could become some of the best-educated physicians available,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, vice president of Wasatch Educational. “Over time, the good they could perform could help millions of people including many hundreds of thousands right here in Utah.”

Along with other medical schools in Utah, the proposed NCOM could supply physicians to help offset a growing physician shortage. Research from the Utah Medical Association Council estimates the state will need approximately 375 new physicians each year to meet medical needs. In 2015, the American Medical Association ranked Utah 49th in primary care physicians to population ratio and 43rd in overall physicians to population ratios. And according to data from Utah universities, approximately 400 students leave the state each year to attend medical school in other states.

WE is comprised of a Board of Directors including the founders and executives of Provo’s Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP). WE is managing the development of the proposed NCOM and is the parent company for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Dr. Michael Skurja, Jr. is the president of WE. He is also the executive vice president of operations for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
Dr. Richard P. Nielsen is the vice president of WE. He also serves as the founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

The proposed NCOM and RMUoHP could establish affiliation relationships though both would be independent and freestanding institutions overseen by separate Governing Boards.

The WE proposal to Provo, subject to approval by the Provo Municipal Council, recommends building the medical school on 24 acres of the northwestern part of the East Bay Golf Course (approximately 11 percent of the total golf course acreage). The proposal also asks for an option of the southwestern wedge of the course, which is not exercisable for a minimum of 15 years. The proposal also suggests eventually relocating the RMUoHP campus next to the proposed NCOM.

If the proposal is accepted, the City of Provo would professionally move three current golf holes of the northwestern part to the southeast corner of the existing course at the expense of the developers. The move will enhance the existing 18-hole championship course with no change to the current driving range, all other buildings and property on the course including the clubhouse, and the 7-hole executive short course for at least the next 15 years.

According to a recent independent economic impact study by Bonneville Research, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine could potentially provide more than $62 million in construction business, 236 construction related jobs and possibly bring more than 121 institution related jobs to the county. It may attract other health, medical, biomedical, biotechnology, retail, and related spin-off businesses.

In a later phase, a new Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions campus will be built adjacent to the proposed institution. At full operation, the local economic impact of both campuses could be approximately $100 million annually and could include 1,500 jobs and more than $83 million in construction business (the proposed NCOM and RMUoHP combined). All of this may substantially increase the property tax base including an estimated $8 million directed to the Provo School District in the first 15 years.

The development plans include significant green space in and around the campuses, creating a park-like atmosphere to protect and preserve the environment, nature, wildlife, and birdlife.

A search for a Founding Dean for the proposed institution is currently underway. The proposed medical program is currently in applicant status seeking accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). Applicant status is offered without rights or privileges of the COCA accreditation, and does not establish, suggest or imply recognition or accreditation status by the COCA. Milestones in the accreditation process must be met over the coming years and the medical education institution must achieve Pre-Accreditation Status in order to admit students. The timeline for recruiting and admitting the inaugural class for the medical education institution is dependent on securing that status.

News

11.24.17

Medical School Public Statement Correction

Wasatch Educational needs to correct information made in the public statement of November 21 regarding the proposed medical education program referred to as the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine anticipated in a few years in Utah County. There was no intention on the part of Wasatch Educational to imply that the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) has made any decisions pertaining to an accreditation status of the proposed medical program. The proposed medical program (announced as the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine) is currently in applicant status seeking accreditation. Applicant status is offered without rights or privileges of the COCA accreditation and does not establish, suggest or imply recognition or accreditation status by the COCA. Milestones in the accreditation process must be met over the coming years and the medical education institution must achieve Pre-Accreditation Status in order to admit students. The timeline for recruiting and admitting the inaugural class for the medical education institution is dependent on securing that status.