05 February 2010

Oakland University Med School Closer to Opening

Detroit Free Press

The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine is one step closer to reality.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the panel that accredits medical schools, has awarded preliminary accreditation to the school after a LCME survey team visited the school in November, according to OU officials. OU plans to begin classes in the fall of 2011.

That, combined with several other steps OU must take, would move the school toward “provisional accreditation” by the LCME on its way to full accreditation. Accreditation is required to receive federal grants for medical education and to participate in federal loan programs.

Central Michigan University is considered an applicant with the LCME and will break ground on Feb. 18 for a $24-million addition to its health professions building which will house the medical school.

Meanwhile, Western Michigan University is weighing a medical school as well and representatives from the university and its health care partners, Borgess Health and Bronson Healthcare Group, met with LCME staff last month to discuss their plans, according to a university spokeswoman.

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