Duquesne moves closer to accreditation for its medical school

Duquesne University’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine is not expected to open until 2024, but the school has achieved “candidate status” from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), according to a university statement.

Among other things, the change in status means Duquesne will begin additional funding for the college. It has already submitted draft plans for the medical school’s curriculum, new building and where students will study in the program. The first two years will be at the university’s new medical school. Duquesne said construction will begin in March.

The final two years of training will take place at the university’s partner hospitals. Duquesne said it has agreements with several hospitals in western and northwestern Pennsylvania that will offer clinical placements for third-year and fourth-year medical students.

“We are excited to receive candidate status from COCA,” said Dr. John Kauffman, dean of the proposed college. “Gaining accreditation is a very involved process. This signifies that we are reaching our goals and our planning work is paying off.”

Kauffman said Duquesne’s plan is to recruit students from the region and keep them here.

“With a state-of-the-art medical school featuring Pittsburgh as its backdrop, we are excited about the future,” he said.

The start of the medical school comes as the region and nation face a shortage of primary care doctors, particularly in underserved areas.

Kauffman said the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s immediate plans call for assembling a senior leadership team and coming up with more detailed plans focusing on the curriculum and the building.