Building Kentucky’s Healthcare Future at EKU

By: Dr. David McFaddin, President of Eastern Kentucky University

The health and wellness of Kentucky is dependent upon our ability to deliver world-class care, and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is ready to answer that call. EKU has been working for three years on a bold proposal to improve healthcare access, especially in rural Kentucky, with plans for the state’s first public osteopathic medical program. 

Across Kentucky, 94% of counties have a primary care shortage; eight counties have no physicians at all; and a staggering 48 counties in Kentucky have no pediatricians. The Commonwealth ranks 40^th nationally for primary care workforce. We can do better, and Kentuckians deserve better.

EKU is already a premier healthcare education institution with a rich history of excellence. Our School of Nursing celebrates more than 60 years of serving Kentucky, and our nationally ranked Occupational Therapy program has produced highly sought-after healthcare professionals for 50 years. EKU’s Speech-Language Pathology, Public Health and Doctoral in Clinical Psychology programs are recognized among the nation’s best graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report. 

The list of accolades continues, and the picture is clear: EKU provides quality healthcare education, and we’re committed to meeting the workforce needs of our state.

EKU is proudly Kentucky first. Our graduates remain and work in Kentucky at the highest rate among the state’s public institutions, and nearly 90% of our students come from the Commonwealth. The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine represents a once-in-a-generation investment in Kentucky’s health care future.

Last spring, legislation was passed removing a long-standing rule that had prevented schools like EKU from offering certain doctoral degrees, such as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). EKU has worked tirelessly for three years to move this proposal forward and we will continue to pursue partnerships with Kentucky healthcare providers. As part of the planning, EKU has formed a community advisory committee composed of healthcare executives, legislative leaders and community physicians. In addition, we’re talking with our students, alumni and key stakeholders about what this opportunity will mean for the healthcare needs of Kentucky.

Raina Boggs, a junior pre-med major from Richmond, said, “I really want to be a doctor because it would mean a lot to me to be able to help people in rural areas who don’t have access to healthcare. I chose to come to EKU because, financially, it was one of the best options. I was able to go to school without it being a huge financial burden. That will help me with the cost of medical school.”

Like many aspiring physicians in Kentucky, EKU pre-med graduate Evan Singleton from Rockcastle County left the state to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. While completing his medical residency in Indiana, he said, “I’m excited to come back and practice in my hometown in a couple of years, but I think that EKU opening up the College of Osteopathic Medicine will help remedy that shortage much faster.”

At a healthcare forum EKU hosted at the Kentucky State Capitol in the fall, Nick Bejarano, president and CEO of AdventHealth Manchester, said, “Recruiting physicians in rural Kentucky is very difficult. So starting a school would offer us the opportunity to continue to train people locally who would like to stay within these rural communities. So that’s what’s really exciting to us as part of AdventHealth and serving rural Eastern Kentucky.” 

We’re truly excited about the journey to bring a public osteopathic medical school to Kentucky. This work will support our students, and importantly, it will transform the Commonwealth.