The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM), set to be based in Provo, has received notification from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation that its application for accreditation has be moved from “applicant” status to “candidate” status. The move is a key step in the college’s creation and comes following a year of preparation of self-study documentation.
The self-study was submitted by Noorda to COCA, whose executive committee accepted, reviewed and approved it on June 6.
“This is three months ahead of our original schedule,” said Dr. John J. Dougherty, founding dean and chief academic officer for the proposed institution. “We are appreciative of the 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 this 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 school’s progress in preparing its leadership team, financial support, potential for integration in local and regional hospitals and clinics and in other key areas.
Noorda-COM established its leadership team with the appointment of Dougherty as founding dean and chief academic officer; the appointment of Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, who is also founding president and CEO of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, as founding president and CEO; and Francis Gibson, chairman of the board of trustees. The board is comprised of distinguished health and business professionals, the group said in a release. Noorda-COM also said it 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.”
The new medical institution is being proposed and developed by Wasatch Educational, the holding company of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.