Though previous plans to open a medical school in the Fresno, Calif., area have failed, officials said the area may soon be home to two osteopathic institutions as early as 2019, according to Valley Public Radio.
Manipal Global Education Services — a Bangalore, India-based company that owns and operates several universities and colleges throughout Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean — has been in talks to open the California Central Valley College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fresno in 2019, according to the report.
Officials at Clovis-based California Health Sciences University also revealed plans to open a college of osteopathic medicine in 2019. Wendy Duncan, PhD, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost for CHSU, told Valley Public Radio the university is developing the college's curriculum and hiring faculty and staff. She said the university has not begun construction on a building to house the college.
Both institutions are reportedly in talks with local health centers to provide clerkships for medical students and graduates, according to the report.
Manipal Global has yet to begin the accreditation process for the medical school, a procedure that may take up to four years to complete. CHSU officials said it is on track to gain accreditation, according to the report.
Until the schools receive accreditation, students opting to attend either institution will not be eligible for federal loans.