A-State Officials Meet With Medical Community Members About College of Osteopathic Medicine
JONESBORO, Ark. – Physicians and hospital administrators from across Northeast Arkansas joined with officials of Arkansas State University and New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) to discuss the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine at A-State.
Leading members of the medical community heard from the leadership of NYIT and had the opportunity to ask questions at a reception hosted at the Cooper Alumni Center on April 21.
Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, vice president for Health Sciences at NYIT, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the strength of partnership between NYIT and A-State to positively impact the future of health care in the Delta region.
“We don’t want to be in this community, we want to be part of this community,” Dr. Ross-Lee said. “From our own experience in our home state, we know that the best way to increase physicians is to grow your own. Where doctors train gives them a familiarity with that area.”
Arkansas State Chancellor Tim Hudson noted Dr. Ross-Lee’s role in the national D.O. community.
“Tomorrow, Dr. Ross-Lee will be honored by her peers not with an award for her, but with the naming of a new national award for osteopathic education in her honor,” Hudson said. “We are fortunate to have a partner in this project who is considered one of the top educators in her field.”
Dr. Ross-Lee was joined by Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, dean of the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. David Levine, assistant dean of clinical education; and Dr. Jerry Balentine, chief medical officer at St. Barnabas Hospital and professor of emergency medicine. The delegation is working to secure commitments of support for clerkships, residencies and teaching roles.
"The response has been tremendous," said Dr. Jason Penry, vice chancellor for university advancement. "The cooperation and interest being shown by the medical community will help ensure our success."
The delegation also addressed a district meeting of the Arkansas Hospital Association, where hospital administrators from throughout Northeast Arkansas were briefed on the school and the important role of hospitals in the teaching process.
In conjunction with the event, Arkansas State unveiled a website to answer questions for the public at AState.edu/medicine.
