Tag: Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

News

7.13.20

The Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Receives Approval to Recruit Students

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Logo

College to begin recruiting inaugural class.

The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) Board of Trustees announced it received approval to recruit students for its inaugural class in the Fall of 2021 from the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

The decision was made at COCA’s June meeting, when it accepted the proposed Noorda-COM’s application to advance to the next step of the accreditation process for the medical school currently under development in Provo. The application should post on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service website within a few weeks.

The designation comes after a two-year application process which included two comprehensive self-studies and stringent reviews by the COCA Commissioners.

Dr. John Dougherty, founding dean and chief academic officer for the proposed Noorda-COM said, “The process has been challenging and in no small part successful due to the ongoing collaboration of the proposed Noorda-COM’s faculty, staff, trustees and clinical partners.”

Dougherty said to achieve the right to recruit students, all eleven accreditation standards had to be met which included mission, leadership, finance, facilities, curriculum, faculty, research, learning environment, student services, Graduate Medical Education (GME) and learning assessment.

The proposed Noorda-COM’s founding president and CEO, Dr. Richard Nielsen, said, “We are extremely honored to receive the right to recruit students. This speaks volumes about our institution and the high-quality program we are developing in Provo. The proposed Noorda-COM’s next anticipated step in the accreditation process will be to advance to Pre-Accreditation later this year.”

As a result of receiving this new accreditation status, the proposed Noorda-COM will begin active recruitment of students for its inaugural class for the Fall of 2021. Interested students can get more information at the proposed Noorda-COM admissions website, and apply here.

Monitoring of the proposed Noorda-COM’s development will occur regularly, and COCA will conduct a site visit within the next six months.

The proposed Noorda-COM received Candidate Status in June of 2019 as part of the accreditation process. Rights to recruit is the current step. COCA will continue its regular process to monitor the development and progress of the proposed Noorda-COM and will conduct a site visit at the proposed Noorda-COM campus within the next four to six months.

News

9.19.19

Academic Deans Join Executive Leadership at Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Logo

Responsible for academics and clinical experiences.

The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (*Noorda-COM) announced the appointments of Jennifer Brown as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Michael L. Rhodes, MD, as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. The two associate deans will become an integral part of the executive staff of Noorda-COM responsible for establishing curriculum, processes, and programs for medical students attending the school.

“We are building a world-class medical education institution here at Noorda-COM,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding president and CEO of Noorda-COM. “Our founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. John J. Dougherty, is experienced in developing and building academic institutions of medicine to further the medical profession. We are fortunate to have him leading the efforts at Noorda-COM. We are equally fortunate to have Jennifer Brown and Dr. Michael L. Rhodes join our executive staff to work with Dr. Dougherty as Associate Deans.”

As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Brown is responsible for developing and executing the curriculum for students ensuring they learn everything they need for each phase of their medical academic career. She will also head the responsibilities of the medical library and learning services ensuring students receive all of the content needed to match their residency requirements.

“We’re designing a curriculum to teach students what is most important during their four years at Noorda-COM,” said Brown. “We are delivering our curriculum in a way that is very different from other schools. Many medical schools conduct lectures where students come in and take notes; then they leave and study for a long time and come back for their midterm and final. Today’s students don’t want to attend lectures. At Noorda-COM we will be delivering content in a way that is very flexible for students with assessments and accountability along the way to ensure they are learning everything they need. We’re excited to implement this curriculum and its related programs. Part of the process includes eventually recruiting faculty and helping them create content to use in our distinctive teaching environment.”

As Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Rhodes will be responsible for student third and fourth years – their clinical years. He will set curriculum and work with community physicians to establish rotation opportunities. He will assist students’ participation in clinical rotations at area hospitals and healthcare facilities where they will work with medical teams treating patents. They will do rotations in areas such as pediatrics, internal medicine, general surgery, OB-GYN, family practice and others.

“The challenge will be to create a great rotation experience for both the medical professionals, who are already working busy schedules, and the students, who need the practical clinical experience as part of their medical education,” said Rhodes. “One of the ways we plan to do this is to have the students go through a certification program to become certified scribes which will allow them to legally document medical records on behalf of physicians to alleviate some of the their burden as the students work with the medical teams.”

About Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown

Brown’s experience brings invaluable knowledge to Noorda-COM in developing the educational experience Noorda-COM expects to provide to its students. She received a BA degree in 2000 from Harvard University and received her C.N.T. in 2013 from Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver. She is currently working on an MS degree at Southern New Hampshire University. She has an Innovation in Health Care and Education certificate from Harvard Macy Institute, a Senior Leadership Development Program certificate from Columbia Business School, and a Medical Leadership Development Program certificate from Kaplan, Inc. Brown has served for multiple positions at Kaplan, Inc. including Senior Director, Institutional Medical Program. She has provided Osteopathic Faculty Development for schools across the country while helping dozens of schools prepare thousands of students for a successful medical career.

About Michael L. Rhodes

Dr. Michael Rhodes

Rhodes is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, currently licensed in the State of Utah as a physician and surgeon. Rhodes received his MD in 1991 from the Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine where he was the recipient of the Ty Cobb Educational Foundation Scholarship and Medical College of Georgia McGraw-Hill/Lange Award. He received his BS in Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude in 1987 from University of Georgia. He received postgraduate training at Floyd Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program where he served as Chief Resident in 1993-1994.

He served as Interim CMO at Utah Valley Hospital, and currently serves as Associate CMO, Medical Director of Credentialing, Quality and Safety and Designated Institutional Official for the South Region of Intermountain Healthcare. He has also served as Medical Director of Informatics, Program Director for Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency, Assistant Residence Director of Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency, Faculty at Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency, Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Medical Director for Utah Home and Health and Hospice. He has extensive background and experience practicing, administrating and educating in the medical field.

News

6.24.19

The Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Receives Candidate Status

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Logo

Key milestone in accreditation process.

Following a year of working on its self-study, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) received notification from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of approval to advance to Candidate Status from Applicant Status.

The self-study was submitted by Noorda-COM to COCA whose Executive Committee accepted, reviewed, and approved it on June 6th.

“This is three-months ahead of our original schedule,” said Dr. John J. Dougherty, founding dean and chief academic officer for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. “We are appreciative of the [COCA] commissioners’ careful consideration and acknowledgement. COCA found the self-study to be 100 percent in compliance with all administrative, academic, and financial standards.”

The status change is one essential step in receiving full accreditation from COCA. The proposed Noorda-COM plans to submit self-study II later in the upcoming year, which, if approved by COCA, will change the status to Pre-Accreditation. At that point, the college may begin student recruitment.

The U.S. Department of Education and Utah state regulators were also informed by COCA of the progress of the proposed Noorda-COM’s status.

The self-study outlines in detail the proposed Noorda-COM’s progress in preparing its leadership team, financial support, potential for integration in local and regional hospitals and clinics, and in other key areas.

The proposed Noorda-COM established a strong leadership team with the appointment of Dougherty as founding dean and chief academic officer, the appointment of Dr. Richard P. Nielsen as founding president and CEO and who is also founding president and CEO of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Francis Gibson, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the proposed Noorda-COM, and a governing Board of Trustees comprised of distinguished health and business professionals. The proposed Noorda-COM also has the financial backing of major investors and has developed strong relationships with the top hospitals, clinics and healthcare systems in the intermountain western region.

“We are very fortunate,” said Nielsen. “We have fantastic relationships in the community, a strong and active Board, generous investors, and some of the top healthcare leaders in the country helping us bring this medical school to our community. We could not do it without them.”

News

3.28.19

The Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Board of Trustees Holds Inaugural Meeting

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine NCOM

Inaugural Trustees and officers instated.

The Board of Trustees for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine met for the first time Monday (March 26, 2019) and instated Trustee members and approved bylaws and policies. Francis Gibson, MSW, MBA, Utah House Representative and House Majority Leader, and CEO of Orem Community Hospital was appointed Chair.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine and will oversee management responsibility for the construction, completion, and eventual operation of the proposed college as well as the management of the accreditation process.

The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine will be established in Provo and has received broad support financially and throughout Utah County. The makeup of the Trustee members demonstrates this support.

In addition to the instatement of the new Board of Trustees, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine received letters of endorsement from Provo City, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Utah Hospital Association, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Utah County Commissioners, Provo School District,  hospital systems and elected officials.

Board Officers approved and instated include:

  • Francis Gibson, MSW, MBA, Board Chair
  • Morris D. Linton, Board Vice-chair
  • Sean R. Curzon, Board Secretary
  • Trevor Smith, Board Treasurer

The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine executive officers approved by the Board:

  • Richard P. Nielsen, PT, DHSc, ECS, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer
  • John Dougherty, Founding Dean
  • Jennifer Brown, CNT, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Michael Rhodes, MD, Associate Dean for Medical Affairs
  • Jeff Bate, MBA, Chief Financial Office

Speaking to the Board, Gibson said, “The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine will be vital for the community, the state, and the world. I’m looking forward to working with each of you on the Board who will sacrifice and donate your time to make this medical school a great school.”

One of the key goals of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine is to help increase the supply of doctors in the region. According to studies by the Association of American Medical Colleges, Utah is ranked 49th in the nation for active patient care, primary care physicians per 100,000 population and 44th in the nation for active physicians per 100,000. Utah is ranked 44th among all states in the number of MD and DO student enrollments with most Utah resident medical students leaving the state to pursue their medical degrees.

“As a state we are growing at a very fast pace,” said Gibson. “We already know students will stay and work where they are educated. This school will give Utah students an opportunity to receive a medical education they can use to provide healthcare to people throughout the state.”

The appointed executive staff and Board will now focus on the accreditation process as construction begins on the proposed medical school campus.

The architect for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine is MHTN Architects based in Salt Lake City. The construction project is managed by Westland Construction based in Orem, Utah.

The inaugural proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Board of Trustees members include:

Francis Gibson, MSW, MBA –
CEO – Orem Community Hospital – Intermountain Healthcare
Majority Leader – Utah House of Representatives
Spanish Fork, UT

Richard P. Nielsen, PT, DHSc, ECS
Founding NCOM President

John Dougherty, DO, FACOFP, FAOASM, FAODME
Founding Dean

Andy Noorda
Managing Member – The Canopy Group
Lindon, UT

Greg Stuart
CEO – Strategic Partners Group
Bountiful, UT

Heather Kahlert
Vice President – The Kahlert Foundation
Lehi, UT

Sean R. Curzon, DO
Internal Medicine – Revere Health
Orem, UT

Michael Skurja, DPT
President – Wasatch Education, Inc., Chair of the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Board of Trustees
San Diego, CA

John R. Curtis
United States Congressman – Utah’s 3rd Congressional District
Provo, UT

John F. Nemelka, MBA 
NightWatch Capital Advisors, LLC
Mapleton, UT

Brent Israelsen, JD
Executive Chairman – Thunder Biotech, Inc.
Alpine, UT

Kent Loosle
President – Mountain Point Medical Center – Steward Healthcare System  Lehi, UT

Kimball Anderson, FACHE
CEO – Timpanogos Regional Hospital
Orem, UT

Trevor Smith, PhD
System Executive Director of Health Promotion and Wellness – Intermountain Healthcare
Salt Lake City, UT

Vanessa Halvorsen, DO
Otolaryngology/Facial Plastics resident – Freeman Hospital
Joplin, MO

Jonora Searles, RN 
Vice President of Operations – EltonCo Investment
Southlake, TX

Norman Wright, PhD
Dean of the Woodbury School of Business – Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Lieutenant Commander Shannon Lorimer, DO
Orthopedic Oncology Fellow – Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT

Morris D. Linton, JD
Retired Senior Counsel at Intermountain Healthcare
Adjunct Professor – J. Reuben Clark Law School (BYU)
Salt Lake City, UT

About the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine would be an independent and freestanding institution overseen by a governing Board of Trustees located in Provo, Utah.

Founded and located in Provo, Utah in June 1998, Wasatch Educational will manage the development of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. wWasatch Educational is the holding company of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. The mission of Wasatch Educational is to promote and develop healthcare education institutions.

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

6.11.18

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

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

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.