This week, Manipal Education Americas, a for-profit education services management company, said it will no longer pursue opening a medical school in Missoula or elsewhere in Montana, according to the Independent Record.
During a Dec. 9 meeting with Missoula physicians and medical professionals, the company “abruptly announced” its decision, according to the report. Manipal President Neal Simon said the choice is based on the lack of patients and educators in the area, as well as an analysis of the education the potential students would need.
Mr. Simon issued a statement Nov. 10 explaining the details. “At this time, we feel we are in agreement with the local physician community that the clinical education infrastructure will not support a high-quality medical school in the state,” he said. “We thank Mayor Engen for his kind invitation and wish everyone the best in their endeavors.”
The company initially hoped to open the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017 or 2018 with an enrollment of 150 students per year. Manipal estimated the school would have created 100 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs.
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