Two top Colorado universities are partnering to open a new medical school branch to extend opportunities for medical students in the state.
Last week, the University of Colorado and Colorado State University entered into a partnership to use each of their respective strengths to establish a new medical school in Fort Collins.
“We are pleased to forge this partnership with CSU to expand the opportunities for medical education in the state of Colorado,” Donald Elliman, Jr., chancellor for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, said.
“Together, we are able to offer an education based on outstanding programs at both campuses and to improve the quality of health care for all in Colorado.”
Starting in 2021, the new branch will enroll nearly a dozen students who will conduct all four years of their studies on the Fort Collins campus. Looking ahead, the branch could eventually enroll up to 48 students per year.
“At the new medical school branch, students will learn in and from the local community alongside other health professionals,” Suzanne Brandenburg, a professor of medicine at the CU School of Medicine, said.
“With this expansion, we hope to capitalize on the diverse expertise at CSU, to frame health care broadly, instilling in medical students a comprehensive view of our impact on society, considering not just the patient but also communities, populations, and the planet.”
The two partners are currently in the middle of preparing documentation to seek accreditation from the School of Medicine’s accrediting body. Other preliminary tasks involve hiring an assistant dean and recruiting new faculty.
The universities have collaborated on various occasions in the past, including on projects like the Colorado School of Public Health, the CU Cancer Center, and the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.
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