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INDIANA, Pa. –Today, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Armstrong County Memorial Hospital formalized a clinical training affiliation agreement for students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.

IUP’s Council of Trustees endorsed the exploration of a possible development of a college of osteopathic medicine at IUP in December 2022. IUP has formally initiated steps towards accreditation of its proposed college of osteopathic medicine from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, a three- to five-year process that includes submission of self-studies and a feasibility study, along with site visits.

Securing clinical training sites for students is part of the successful accreditation process. Typically, students in colleges of osteopathic medicine spend the first two years of their education in the classroom; during the third and fourth years, students are based in the community at clinical sites. 

The signing ceremony took place at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital with IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll; IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Dr. Miko Rose; ACMH President and CEO Nichole Geraci; and ACMH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sarun Suwan. ACMH physician Dr. Chad Shaffer also offered remarks during the event.

“The positive response and support for the proposed college of osteopathic medicine from our regional hospitals, medical centers, and healthcare providers has been absolutely extraordinary,” IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll said. “The proposed college of osteopathic medicine team is doing an incredible job creating connections and putting the right clinical training affiliation agreements in place that will show our students the difference that community hospitals make in the lives of rural citizens, and the importance and value of practicing in rural communities.”

Armstrong County Memorial Hospital is part of the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network, which includes three partner hospitals: Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, Indiana Regional Medical Center, and Punxsutawney Area Hospital. IUP signed clinical training affiliation agreements with Punxsutawney Area Hospital and Indiana Regional Medical Center in June 2024 and September 2024, respectively. 

“The Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network shares IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine’s commitment to the health and strength of community hospitals by educating the next generation of healthcare providers who are committed to practicing in rural communities,” President Driscoll said. “We are very proud to have clinical training affiliation agreements in place with hospitals and medical centers that embrace this commitment, including hospitals in our own communities that are part of the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network hospitals,” President Driscoll said.

“Today’s signing event marks the beginning of an important new chapter in ACMH hospital’s longstanding history and underscores our commitment to being a hub for the best and the brightest,” ACMH President and CEO Nichole Geraci said. “We are pleased to join our PMCN partner hospitals in this relationship with IUP, and I look forward to this collaboration strengthening our commitment to quality care in our region.”

Formed in 2015, the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network oversees its rural hospital affiliates with an integrated governance and executive management team that represents the common interests of the various communities served by each hospital.

"With Armstrong County Memorial Hospital being the final piece of the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network to sign an affiliation agreement, the entire network is now fully on board to support IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine,” said Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network and IRMC CEO Stephen Wolfe.

 “Together, we are helping to develop the college and ensuring that future healthcare professionals are not only well-prepared in their clinical education but also equipped with the skills and commitment needed to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities.”

 In addition to the PMCN hospitals, IUP has formally signed agreements with Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (December 2024); Broad Top Area Medical Center, Hyndman Area Health Centers, Nulton Diagnostics and Treatment Center, and The Primary Health Network, (November 2024 at the third annual IUP-Indiana Regional Medical Center’s Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference).

 Dr. Rose was hired as the founding dean of the proposed college of osteopathic medicine in November 2023; the hiring of a founding dean is one of the first steps to establishing the college.

 “Armstrong County Memorial Hospital will provide an opportunity to our students to work and learn in a hospital that has been successful in a “grown your own” model of staffing,” Dr. Rose said. “Not only does ACMH have a commitment to meeting the needs of its community, one of its priorities is to build its healthcare team from the region that it serves,” she said.

 “As we work to recruit and educate talented students who want to stay in their communities, ACMH will provide a unique model of how a hospital operates on a community-based employee model through strong mentorship and modeling,” she said.

“Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals, and the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network, are true champions of the community healthcare model. We are very grateful and proud to be part of this important work to keep health care accessible throughout our commonwealth,” Dr. Rose said.

 Dr. Rose, named one of Pennsylvania’s Fifty Over 50 top leaders in 2024 by City & State Pennsylvania, is one of fewer than 150 physicians elected as a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists by the Fellows of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists/American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists.

IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine team includes Dr. Ryan Smith, founding associate dean of clinical affairs, responsible for overseeing the clinical curricular areas of the doctor of osteopathic medicine program, including developing clinical training agreements; and Dr. Luke H. Mortensen, associate dean of preclinical affairs, responsible for overseeing the pre-clinical curricular areas of the program.

IUP chose to explore a proposed college of osteopathic medicine based on several factors, including the critical need for rural health care: there are not enough trained physicians to provide care to Pennsylvania’s citizens: the ratio of patients to available primary care physicians is 1,367 to 1, according to the United Health Foundation.  

There are only three colleges of osteopathic medicine in Pennsylvania, all at private universities; IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine would be the only college of osteopathic medicine at a public university. National studies show that graduates from programs of osteopathic medicine are more likely to pursue primary care in rural and underserved areas—57 percent of all doctors of osteopathic medicine practice as general practitioners, and more than 20 percent of DO graduates practice in rural areas. Demand is high for osteopathic medicine training: in 2021, 22,708 applicants competed for 8,280 seats at schools of osteopathic medicine. 

IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine and IUP’s commitment to addressing the rural health crisis continues to draw support from individual donors, foundations, agencies, and legislators: 

·         In December 2024, Dr. Theodore Lazzaro, board certified surgeon and founder of Aestique Med Spa, gifted $50,000 to IUP for scholarships for students in health care professions;

·         In October 2024, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors designated $2 million in design funds as part of the 2024-2025 State System of Higher Education capital allocations budget for the academic building renovation for the health sciences cluster and proposed college of osteopathic medicine;

·         Senator Joe Pittman and Representative Jim Struzzi announced in October 2024 that $2 million from the 2024-2025 statue budget has been set aside for the project;

·         In July 2024, IUP graduates Tim and Debra Phillips Cejka gifted $2 million;

·         In June 2024, the Foundation for IUP committed $20 million;

·         In May 2024, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler included $2 million for IUP’s project among his FY25 requested community projects and Senator John Fetterman included $2 million on his list to advance in the FY25 Community Project Funding process;

·         IUP received a $150,000 allocation for the project in the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which was sponsored by Congressman Reschenthaler and Senator Fetterman and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 9, 2024;

·         In February 2024, the Board of Governors allocated $500,000 for a facilities feasibility study for academic facilities for IUP’s health sciences cluster and proposed college of osteopathic medicine;

·         In January 2024, IUP’s Alumni Association Board of Directors authorized a donation of $500,000;

·         In December 2023, Sen. Pittman announced that as part of the 2023-2024 state budget, $2 million was set aside for the project;

·         In July 2023, IUP graduates Nick Jacobs and Mary Ann Hoysan Jacobs donated $40,000 to advance the project. Nick Jacobs is a 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient who has a 1969 bachelor’s degree in education and a 1972 master’s degree in music education; Mary Ann Jacobs has a 1968 bachelor’s degree in music education and a 1993 master’s degree in adult and community education; and

·         In May 2023, Rich Caruso, a 1983 accounting graduate from Meadow Lands, 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and former president and current member of the Foundation for IUP Board of Directors and member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, announced a pledge of $1 million for the project. 

About Armstrong County Memorial Hospital

Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (ACMH) is an exceptional facility with a comprehensive array of services – many of which are unique for a community hospital. Featuring over 80 private rooms in a campus-like setting, ACMH has been a trusted member of the community since 1898. Located in Kittanning, ACMH is proud to be recognized as Armstrong County’s largest employer.

Throughout the years, ACMH has become an increasingly advanced community healthcare system featuring robotic surgery, advanced pulmonary care and state-of-the-art interventional radiology specialties. These services join its already top-ranked cardiovascular program, knee and shoulder replacement specialties and primary stroke center capabilities. With the recently completed expansion of the hospital system’s Laube Cancer Center, ACMH now provides comprehensive cancer care in a beautiful new facility designed for convenience and support.

To learn more, visit www.acmh.org.