PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 01, 2012

Osteopathic medical school changing direction

WAUSAU, Wis. – The Wisconsin College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc. (WCOM) reported today that the Aspirus proposed model of governance for WCOM would not be approved by the Osteopathic medical schools accreditation body, and hence new options are being taken into consideration.

In November, Aspirus and the Wisconsin College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCOM) announced that they were evaluating the feasibility of establishing an Osteopathic medical school in Wausau. Aspirus proposed a governance model that WCOM would be jointly owned by regional health systems. With the potential competition between the 5 health systems a governance conflict could occur. It was felt that this may have resulted in decision making that would not be in the best interest of the students, community and WCOM.

WCOM is continuing to assess the feasibility of developing a College of Osteopathic medicine and Wausau, Wisconsin remains the primary location for the main campus states Ibrahim Ahmed, President and CEO.

Dr. Gregg Silberg, Executive Vice President and Dean, states that WCOM is continuing to talk with the city of Wausau and Marathon County about other possible ways to make the project go forward.

Wisconsin is facing a looming physician shortage, based on a recent report by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, “100 New Physicians a Year: An Imperative for Wisconsin.” The report asserted that Wisconsin must attract and keep 100 new physicians a year to meet rising demand. This number is in addition to the physicians Wisconsin currently is adding.

About WCOM: WCOM is a non-profit, future osteopathic medical school in Wausau, WI. WCOM’s mission is to educate excellent osteopathic physicians who are dedicated to serve, first and foremost, the state of Wisconsin and the health care needs of its residents emphasizing primary care in the rural and underserved areas. WCOM was formed after seeing a progressively worsening shortage of primary care physicians in Wisconsin and the need for better access to high quality affordable health care throughout the state.

Contacts: Dr. Gregg Silberg – contact@wisccom.org