Request More Info Apply to IUP

On February 11, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Clarion Psychiatric Center formalized a clinical training affiliation agreement for students at IUP’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. 

Signing the clinical training affiliation agreement are, from left, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith and Founding Dean Miko Rose; from Clarion Psychiatric Center, CEO Jessica Hansford and Clarion Psychiatric Center Medical Director Jeffrey Moll.

Today’s signing ceremony took place at Clarion Psychiatric Center with IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose; Founding Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith; Clarion Psychiatric Center CEO Jessica Hansford; and Clarion Psychiatric Center Medical Director Jeffrey Moll. Rep. Josh Bashline also offered remarks during the event, and Clarion Psychiatric Center Director of Education and Training Kayla Lee served as mistress of ceremonies. Clarion County Commissioner Braxton White and Clarion Area County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Becker were also in attendance at the event.

The Clarion Psychiatric Center clinical training agreement is IUP’s ninth formal signed agreement. Agreements are in place with Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (January); 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); Indiana Regional Medical Center (September 2024); and Punxsutawney Area Hospital (June 2024).

“It’s an unfortunate fact that our commonwealth, especially Pennsylvania’s rural communities, face a rural health care crisis due in great part to a lack of available physicians committed to rural medical practice,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said.

“This training agreement with Clarion Psychiatric Center provides a first-hand experience for our students on the critical role that a community health care provider focused on mental and behavioral health care provides for patients, including patients in rural areas,” President Driscoll said.

“We continue to enjoy outstanding support and enthusiasm for our proposed college of osteopathic medicine that extends across all constituencies: health care providers across the state, legislators and policy makers, alumni and friends, and the business community,” he said.

“In addition to the overwhelmingly positive response to the development of clinical training agreements throughout the state at all types of hospitals, medical centers, and health care providers, we’ve raised more than $31 million through legislative funding, private individuals, and foundations, including a $250,000 anonymous gift announced last week,” President Driscoll said.

“Conversations about the proposed college of osteopathic medicine are met with an optimism and faith in IUP’s ability to be part of the solution that provides the health and wellness care that Pennsylvania’s citizens need and deserve,” he said.

IUP Vice President for University Advancement Jennifer DeAngelo, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith, Founding Associate Dean of Preclinical Affairs Luke H. Mortensen, Founding Dean Miko Rose, Clarion Psychiatric Center Medical Director Jeffrey Moll, Clarion Psychiatric Center CEO Jessica Hansford, Rep. Josh Bashline, Clarion Psychiatric Center Director of Education and Training Kayla Lee, and Clarion County Commissioner Braxton White

“For over 35 years, Clarion Psychiatric Center has proudly served this community,” Hansford said. “We look forward to this collaboration, further strengthening our commitment to quality care in this region.”

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.

“Often, primary care physicians are called on by their patients, especially rural patients, for mental health and behavioral health support as part of their care,” Rose said. “Our students will have mental health and behavioral health training beyond what is standard in the traditional medical education curriculum, so the opportunity to learn at a specialized facility serving a very diverse—and rural—population like Clarion Psychiatric Center is very important to preparing our students to be well-rounded physicians serving the needs of the whole patient, mind and body, especially in our rural communities,” Rose said.

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.

In addition to Founding Associate Dean Smith, who is responsible for overseeing the clinical curricular areas of the doctor of osteopathic medicine program and developing clinical training agreements, the proposed college of osteopathic medicine team includes Luke H. Mortensen, founding associate dean of preclinical affairs, who is 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: 

About Clarion Psychiatric Center

Clarion Psychiatric Center specializes in behavioral health treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. They have been serving individuals from across Pennsylvania for over 35 years. A behavioral health day treatment program is provided for local children and adolescents ages 10 to 18.