Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) today expressed gratitude to the Kentucky General Assembly following passage of House Bill 900, which includes $42 million for an escrow account required by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and $8 million in start-up funding for EKU’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“This is one of multiple important steps in bringing Kentucky’s first public osteopathic medical school to Eastern Kentucky University,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “The General Assembly’s commitment to this investment reflects an understanding of what is at stake for our communities. More than two million Kentuckians live in medically underserved areas, and nearly all of the state’s 120 counties are designated as health professional shortage areas for primary care. EKU’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine is an important step in addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, and this vital support brings us closer to welcoming our inaugural class.”
Skyler Jones, an EKU junior from Corbin, Kentucky, majoring in emergency medical care, said, “I want to be a doctor because I want to help people. I want to serve rural and underserved parts of Kentucky. I’ve been working in EMS for more than six years and I have witnessed firsthand a lack of medical care in this area. It drives me to push forward to that next step. Approximately 94% of the state’s counties have primary care shortages and EKU is proactively addressing that shortage.”
EKU’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine will emphasize educating physicians committed to practicing in the rural and underserved communities across Kentucky, building on the university’s proven track record as a workforce university that places a high priority on Kentucky students remaining in Kentucky upon degree-completion.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity and potential with EKU and residency programs serving Eastern Kentucky. Statistics prove that individuals who go through the residency programs in a rural community are more likely to stay within 65 miles of those communities,” said Nick Bejarano, President and CEO of AdventHealth Manchester.
McFaddin said, “On behalf of the students, faculty and staff at Eastern Kentucky University, we are so grateful for the broad support of the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. House and Senate Leadership, as well as Senate Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Chris McDaniel and House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Jason Petrie, showed tremendous insight and vision in funding and passing key legislation to help address the current and future healthcare needs of our communities. This investment demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to improving health outcomes in rural and underserved areas across the Commonwealth and EKU is honored to stand with our General Assembly to deliver on this crucial initiative.”
Dr. Dustin Devers, a family medicine physician with Baptist Health Richmond, added, “The rural healthcare shortage in Kentucky is a continuous challenge for families and puts even more pressure on healthcare providers to hire and train more physicians now and into the future to help fill that gap. As a Richmond-Madison County community member, I am very appreciative of the support from our local legislators, including Rep. Josh Bray, Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon and Senator Jared Carpenter. They recognized EKU’s commitment to be at the forefront of tackling this healthcare challenge and supported this important effort every step of the way.”
Dr. Devers is also serving as Chairman of the EKU College of Osteopathic Medicine Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee also includes legislative leaders and medical professionals from across the region.
- KY State Representative David Meade, Speaker Pro Tempore, Stanford, KY
- KY State Senator Brandon Storm, London, KY
- Dr. Ralph Alvarado, MD, Alvarado Medical Services PLLC, Winchester, KY
- Nick Bejarano, President/CEO AdventHealth, Manchester, KY
- Dr. Maria Braman, MD, Appalachian Regional Healthcare Chief Medical Officer, Hazard, KY
- Dr. Dustin Devers, DO, Primary Care Physician, Baptist Health, Richmond, KY
- Greg Gerard, President of Baptist Health, Richmond KY
- Dr. Paula Jones, DO, Primary Care Physician, Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation, Pike County, KY
- Dr. Robert Miller, MD, Mayo Clinic Professor Emeritus, Lexington, KY
- Dr. Selena Raines, DO, KY Osteopathic Medical Association President, Winchester, KY
- Dr. Gerry Wickham, EdD, VP GME HCA Healthcare, Brentwood, TN
- John Yanes, President of Saint Joseph Hospitals, London and Berea, KY
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