 |
| Dr. Robert Smalling, Dr. Jason Penry, and Patricia Wilkinson |
Warren Rotary Club listened to a presentation by Dr. Jason Penry, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement for Arkansas State University, during their weekly meeting September 23rd.Dr. Penry was the program for Rotary member Patricia Wilkinson and was introduced by Dr. Robert Smalling an alumnus of ASU. Dr. penry informed the group that plans are underway to open a new medical school on the Arkansas State campus in 2016. The school expects 115 students. It will be located in Wilson Hall and is estimated to have a $70 million impact on the area.
Doctors who complete their education at the institution will receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The curriculum is virtually identical to a M.D. degree and the D.O.'s can practice medicine and serve as family physicians. There are many Osteopathic colleges throughout the United States.
Students may enter ASU, work three years on their undergraduate degree and finish their B.S. in the fourth year while beginning medical school. Students who have received their B.S. at another college may enter the medical school also. The school will be a joint venture between ASU and New York Institute of Technology. The plan is to educate Arkansas Doctors to practice in Arkansas.
The Dean of the medical school will be Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee who happens to be a sister to singing star Diana Ross. Dr. Penry indicated that ASU is excited to begin the new school and looks forward to providing more doctors for all regions of Arkansas, including the areas that are experiencing a severe shortage.
The Warren Rotary Club meets each Tuesday at noon at the First Methodist Church. The current President is Erika Spears.