Armstrong County Memorial Hospital partners with IUP to sign clinical training agreement

IUP has taken a significant step towards addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas by signing a clinical training agreement with Armstrong County Memorial Hospital for its proposed college of osteopathic medicine. This initiative aims to provide medical students with opportunities to engage in clinical rotations at the hospital, enabling them to gain valuable experience in rural medicine, as emphasized by IUP President Michael Driscoll.

Dr. Sarun Sawan, ACMH's General Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer, highlighted the importance of educating future doctors, noting that exposing students to rural healthcare settings could encourage them to remain in these communities after graduation. He emphasized the advantage of forming closer relationships with patients and colleagues in smaller communities, which can be more fulfilling for healthcare professionals.

Miko Rose, the founding dean of the proposed medical school, referred to the plan as a "grow-your-own" model, focusing on nurturing local talent to meet the needs of the community. She expressed commitment to aligning the school’s vision with that of Kittanning and Armstrong by fostering a sense of community and collaboration in healthcare solutions.

IUP has also forged similar partnerships with Indiana Regional Medical Center and Punxsutawney Area Hospital, indicating a broader effort to tackle the rural healthcare crisis. These agreements reflect a collective aim of connecting medical education with community healthcare needs.

The proposed school hopes to graduate its inaugural class by 2031, marking the beginning of a movement to strengthen healthcare in rural areas and support the development of future doctors committed to serving these communities.