Baptist Health Sciences University given greenlight to launch osteopathic medical school

The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation has given the go-ahead to Baptist Health Sciences University for it to open an osteopathic college and recruit students in the fall of 2024.

BHSU announced that it would be the second osteopathic school in Tennessee, and the first in West Tennessee.

In a press statement, Dr. Peter Bell said, 'Achieving pre-accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic college accreditation is a huge next step in Baptist’s goal to increase access to quality healthcare in the Mid-South.' We are thrilled to start accepting applications for the Fall 2024 semester.

BHSU will recruit 75 students to its first class. The goal is to grow this class to 150 in three years. By the time the first class graduates, BHSU will have received full accreditation.

Betty Sue McGarvey said, 'This is an exciting development for Baptist Health Sciences University, and the Mid-South'. McGarvey is retiring from BHSU in June. The Mid-South, like many other areas in the United States, has a shortage of family doctors and primary care physicians, particularly after COVID-19. The Mid-South will benefit from a College of Osteopathic Medicine, which can help to fill the gap in primary care and medical specialties.

BHSU and MBJ discussed the construction of the new school and facility in November.

According to BHSU, the facility will be located in the Collaboration Building at Union Ave. 1115. The college plans to spend up to $25 million on the construction of this new facility. Construction has already started and will be completed in December. Turner Construction Co. serves as general contractor.