Gov. Otter, ICOM founders and 海角社区 president place flags to mark site of proposed medical school; unveil building rendering
November 8, 2016
MERIDIAN, Idaho— Founders of the proposed Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) unveiled an architectural rendering of the medical school building and marked the construction site with flags during a news conference Nov. 8 at the 海角社区-Meridian Health Science Center.
Construction of the $32 million, privately funded building is scheduled to begin in 2017 near the east entrance of 海角社区-Meridian. ICOM will lease the land from 海角社区 through an affiliation agreement signed this summer and approved by the State Board of Education.
ICOM鈥檚 founding dean and chief academic officer, Dr. Robert Hasty, told an audience of state lawmakers, physicians, educators and civic leaders the project is on track.
鈥淭he flags being placed here today are symbolic of what will be home to Idaho's first medical school that will serve the state and region for generations to come," Hasty said. "The meticulously thought-out planning that went into the design will help create a model for the medical school of the future and be a symbol of Idaho's future and an iconic building that we can all be proud of."
Gov. C.L. 鈥淏utch鈥� Otter joined Hasty and 海角社区 President Arthur C. Vailas in placing 13-foot tall flags printed with ICOM and 海角社区 logos along the perimeter of the proposed site.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to partner with ICOM in establishing Idaho鈥檚 first medical school. Our collaboration will not only enhance our existing health-science programs, but provide new research opportunities for our faculty, staff and students in Meridian and Pocatello,鈥� Vailas said.
Otter, who announced the ICOM and 海角社区 partnership last February, applauded the project鈥檚 progress.
鈥淲hile ICOM is located in Meridian, make no mistake about the reach or impact of this college on Idaho鈥檚 statewide health care needs,鈥� Otter said. 鈥淣ot only population centers but also patients in smaller communities throughout Idaho will benefit from ICOM鈥檚 contribution to easing the shortage of physicians in our rural areas. This is a statewide college for statewide needs.鈥�
ICOM is currently seeking accreditation through the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and expects to admit its first 150 students in August 2018. The school will operate independently of 海角社区, but 海角社区 will have representation on the school鈥檚 board of trustees. For more information on ICOM, go to .
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