100 percent of first class of 90 students move to second year status

As the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) welcomes new and returning students to campus this week with its 2022 White Coat Ceremony the institution also looks back on an inaugural year filled with many milestones.

“The inaugural year of Noorda-COM has been a great success,” said Norman Wright, Ph.D., president and CEO of Noorda-COM. “Not only has our first class of medical students excelled but we are welcoming an incredibly diverse group of new medical students this year – all of whom will go on to help address Utah’s growing need for medical providers.” 

INAUGURAL YEAR MILESTONES

• All 90 members of the class (100%) completed their first year and will move on to their next year of didactic instruction.

• For the 2021/2022 academic year, 23 students each semester made the Dean’s List (top 25% of the class in GPA). 18 students made the Dean’s list both semesters.   

• Additionally, at the end of their first year of instruction, Noorda-COM students took the COMAT Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test, a standardized assessment of core osteopathic and biomedical sciences knowledge typically taken at the end of second year. 
  • Noorda-COM first-year students obtained a mean standard score of 188.8 compared to the national mean score of 197.4.  
  • This demonstrates that one-half of Noorda-COM’s medical students could pass their national Board exams (taken at the end of second year) after their first year.

• Noorda-COM also rolled out its research track. The purpose of the research track is three-fold. First, it enhances the student doctor’s ability to think critically and reason scientifically. Second, the research track provides scientific skills to enhance the students’ ability to advance medical knowledge and improve treatment throughout their careers. Third, it provides targeted research experiences within the field of specialty in which the students desire to match as residents.
  • 22 students were mentored by 10 Biomedical and Clinical Faculty in 20 research projects. 
  • 7 Narrative Literature Reviews were prepared for publication with all first year students as authors on two papers.  
  • 20 active research projects were started with five different external grants funding the work and another 13 projects were started on a variety of health topics.
  • 22 students were selected to participate in the research track and all will participate in peer reviewed publications and research presentations at conferences from their work.

• Noorda-COM students made a significant community impact by:
  • Mentoring at Amelia Earhart Elementary School.
  • Volunteering at South Franklin Community Center.
  • Providing a Noorda-COM Day of Service in partnership with the United Way of Utah County.
  • Participating in the Mass Casualty Incident training at the new Provo Airport before it opened.

“100 percent of our students passed their first year, which is a remarkable accomplishment,” said John J. Dougherty, DO, FACOFP, FAOASM, FAODME, founding dean and chief academic officer. “They worked hard and embraced Noorda-COM’s transformative and innovative teaching model.  I have great confidence they will continue to excel in their studies and go on to provide medical health services to people from all walks of life.”

INAUGURAL YEAR INSTITUTIONAL MILESTONES

• The appointment of Dr. Norman Wright as president and CEO of the institution. Search committee representatives included former Governor Gary Herbert and Noorda-COM Board members Francis Gibson, Jonora Searles, and Heather Kahlert.  Noorda-COM Student Government Association (SGA) President Brittney Harrell and Vice President Cassandra Bovee also served on the presidential search committee.

• The building Topping-off Ceremony of the new four-story, 140,000 square foot academic building. Construction continues and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

• Noorda-COM actively engaged in Utah Legislative Advocacy providing leadership in supporting the passage of HB295 during the 2022 Utah Legislative Session. The new state law secures funding to increase residency programs in Utah. The advocacy gained national attention from the American Osteopathic Association seeking guidance for other states.

• Dr. John Dougherty, DO, FACOFP, FAOASM, FAODME, founding dean and chief academic officer, was appointed by Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox to the Utah Medical Education Council.

• Noorda-COM has established affiliation partners with 16 Utah hospitals to provide clerkships for approximately 1,000 medical students.

• Noorda-COM entered into a partnership with Utah Valley University (UVU) Woodbury School of Business to offer qualifying Noorda-COM students a combined degree of Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Master of Business Administration degree. Four students and one faculty member are currently enrolled in the program.

• Noorda-COM completed its first year utilizing an innovative and unique curricular model developed by faculty and staff. It pioneers medical education for 21^st century medical students. The curriculum utilizes short, pre-recorded video segments covering defined learning objectives. Students work collaboratively in small groups of 4-12 people in on-campus learning ‘pods.’ The curricular model is blended with high tech laboratory and simulation experiences.
  • More than 7000 hours of faculty time was utilized to develop pod content.
  • 2,400 videos were created.
  • 350 hours of instruction.
  • 545 total teaching hours spent on simulation and OSCE.
  • 162 hours of ultrasound and augmented reality
  • 54 hours with the Apollo simulator manikin.

“The Noorda-COM inaugural year has been an exciting one full of many milestones as we established our institution for the benefit of a talented and diverse group of medical students,” said Wright. “The greatest milestone being the success of our first class of medical students.  We are excited to welcome our new class and I firmly believe Noorda-COM is well on its way to becoming an esteemed medical education institution in Utah and the Intermountain West.”

About Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Located in Provo, Utah, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) offers an innovative and unique approach to medical education. Noorda-COM provides 21st-century medical students a curricular model blending active, small group learning with advanced laboratory experiences and research opportunities while also emphasizing school and life balance with a commitment to health and wellness. Noorda-COM focuses on preparing future residency-ready physicians committed to providing patient-centered healthcare. Noorda-COM is a private, proprietary institution. An independent governing Board of Trustees oversees Noorda-COM. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted Noorda-COM Pre-Accreditation status in December 2020. For more information, visit noordacom.org.

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PROVO, Utah, January 14, 2022 — The Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) Board of Trustees has selected Norman S. Wright, Ph.D., to serve as president and chief executive officer of the college following a national search. Wright has been serving as the institution’s interim president since July 2021 and will assume full-time responsibilities in February.

“The Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine is fortunate to have someone with Dr. Wright’s unique set of skills and experience as its next president,” said Francis Gibson, chair of the board of trustees of the college. “Dr. Wright’s strong business acumen together with his experience within the local community and in higher education will be incredibly valuable as the college continues its path to becoming a leader in medical education in Utah.” 

The president is a crucial appointment in the senior executive administration that will lead the college forward in engaging local, regional and national communities in building awareness and support for the osteopathic profession, the school and its medical students as they pursue residency placements.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine at such a critical time in higher education,” said Wright. “We are at a crossroads where old models no longer meet the needs of today’s digitally savvy students who are curious, capable, and committed to harnessing knowledge for the betterment of their communities. I am excited to work together with the Board, students, faculty, staff, and our community as we transform medical education in the service of our community.”

The board-appointed Presidential Search Committee began the search process in September. The 14-member committee—with representation from faculty, professional staff, administrative support staff, students, the Board of Trustees and the community—recommended two finalists to the Board whose final decision was then ratified by the Noorda Medical School Board.

Wright is the current dean of the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University, a position he has held since 2010. During his time as dean, the business school has added graduate degree programs, raised $75 million in funding for a new facility, added support for women and Latinx students, extended ties with the Utah business community, and systematically helped students put theory into practice through industry consulting projects. Prior to his appointment as dean, Wright held various leadership roles with start-up and young business schools in the Middle East and Africa as well as numerous consultancy projects around the globe.

Wright graduated with honors from Brigham Young University with a degree in economics and a Master of Public Administration degree. He went on to earn Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

About Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Located in Provo, Utah, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) offers an innovative and unique approach to medical education. Noorda-COM provides 21st-century medical students a curricular model blending active, small group learning with advanced laboratory experiences and research opportunities while also emphasizing school and life balance with a commitment to health and wellness. Noorda-COM focuses on preparing future residency-ready physicians committed to providing patient-centered healthcare. Noorda-COM is a private, proprietary institution. An independent governing Board of Trustees oversees Noorda-COM. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted Noorda-COM Pre-Accreditation status in December 2020. For more information, visit noordacom.org.

Final Steel Beam Placed on the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Academic Building
Utah’s newest medical school celebrates construction milestone

PROVO, Utah, December 15, 2021 — The Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) today marked a milestone in the construction of its new academic building in Provo with a traditional “topping off” ceremony celebrating the placement of the final steel beam on the structure.

A gathering of Noorda-COM founders, board members, leadership, students, and benefactors, along with community leaders, medical partners, construction and architect teams, participated in a brief program that culminated with a crane lifting the final steel beam into place. In the days leading up to the event, the beam was signed by hundreds of people with interest in the project, including members of the inaugural class of 90 medical students.

“This is a celebration for us all and would not be possible if it were not for the incredible support and vision of our founders, benefactors, community partners, and dedicated campus leadership,” said Norm Wright, interim president of Noorda-COM. “As I look at the steel frame of this building, it is symbolic of the strength and determination of so many who believe passionately in the impact the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine will have – not only for the medical school and our students, but for this community and state.”

The topping off ceremony is a time-honored tradition in construction projects. It is not only adorned with signatures, but with an evergreen tree and American flag. The symbolism of the evergreen goes back many centuries and is said to represent a safe job well done with no fatalities, good fortune throughout the life of the building, and blessings for the building to stand forever.

Having spent the last 26 years in medical education, Dr. John Dougherty, founding dean and chief academic officer, has envisioned this building and what it will mean for medical education in the future.

“This new building has been designed to be a home for generations of medical students to come who will go on to meet the ever-changing needs of the patients they will serve,” Dougherty said. “In this building, we will transform medical education and provide our student doctors with the tools and resources needed for them to become empathetic and compassionate physicians.”

Estimated at $57 million, the four-story, 140,000-sqare-foot academic building is situated on a 30-acre campus located off I-15 and Lakeview Parkway in South Provo. The building is expected to open in Summer 2023.

About Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Located in Provo, Utah, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) offers an innovative and unique approach to medical education. Noorda-COM provides 21st-century medical students a curricular model blending active, small group learning with advanced laboratory experiences and research opportunities while also emphasizing school and life balance with a commitment to health and wellness. Noorda-COM focuses on preparing future residency-ready physicians committed to providing patient-centered healthcare. Noorda-COM is a private, proprietary institution. An independent governing Board of Trustees oversees Noorda-COM. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted Noorda-COM Pre-Accreditation status in December 2020. For more information, visit noordacom.org.

OREM, Utah, Nov. 16, 2021 — The Utah Valley University (UVU) Woodbury School of Business has finalized a partnership with the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) to offer a healthcare administration concentration of study as part of its Master of Business Administration program.

This new partnership offers a combined degree of Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and MBA between the two institutions, providing Noorda-COM medical students an advantage in the market of healthcare during an exceptional time of growth and change in the industry.

“The partnership between UVU’s Woodbury School of Business and the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine marries two highly innovative institutions of higher education to the benefit of students and the local health care industry,” said Norman Wright, dean of the Woodbury School of Business. “Students armed with this credential will make an important difference in the practice of medicine at a time when the market dynamics of the industry are undergoing significant change.”

According to John Dougherty, Noorda-COM founding dean and chief academic officer, Noorda-COM students can start the DO/MBA program after their first semester of medical school and ultimately graduate with both their medical and MBA degrees.

“This dual degree program is a significant offering that will greatly enhance our students’ professional abilities,” Dougherty said. “Not only will they be well educated in how to provide medical services, they will also learn the important aspects of navigating the business of medicine regardless of whether they are in private practice or an established healthcare system.”

This new concentration of study offered by the UVU MBA program is available to students enrolled in Noorda-COM’s osteopathic medicine degree program who meet academic and professional requirements.

“Understanding the value and importance of business acumen through the DO/MBA program with UVU is a wonderful complement to Noorda-COM’s innovative progressive curricular offerings,” Dougherty said. “Our goal is to empower students with essential personal and professional skills to meet the healthcare challenges within the communities they serve.”

About Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Located in Provo, Utah, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) offers an innovative and unique medical education approach. Noorda-COM provides 21st-century medical students a curricular model blending active, small group learning with advanced laboratory experiences and research opportunities while also emphasizing school and life balance with a commitment to health and wellness. Noorda-COM focuses on preparing future residency-ready physicians committed to providing patient-centered healthcare. Noorda-COM is a private, proprietary institution. An independent governing Board of Trustees oversees Noorda-COM. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted Noorda-COM Pre-Accreditation status in December 2020. For more information, visit noordacom.org.

About the Woodbury School of Business

The Woodbury School of Business (WSB) is the largest business school in the Utah System of Higher Education and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The WSB supports a variety of engaged-learning projects and programs. The school is distinguished for its focus on student development, entrepreneurship, global involvement, and innovative teaching. In addition to traditional undergraduate courses of study in disciplines ranging from accounting to marketing, the WSB offers an MBA program that includes various fields of study, including management, technology management, finance, marketing, and healthcare administration. Visit the WSB homepage for more information.

About Utah Valley University 
At Utah Valley University, we believe everyone deserves the transforming benefits of high-quality education — and it needs to be affordable, accessible, and flexible. With opportunities to earn certificates to master’s degrees, our students succeed by gaining real-world experience and developing career-ready skills. As we celebrate the milestone of our 80th anniversary in 2021, we continue to invite people to come as they are — and leave ready and prepared to make a difference in the world. For more, visit uvu.edu or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Cory Maloy
Maloy PR, for Noorda-COM
801-319-7900
cory@maloypr.com

PROVO, Utah, July 1, 2021 – The Board of Trustees (Board) of the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) today announced it has started a national search for a new permanent president and appointed Dr. Norman S. Wright, Ph.D. as interim president during the search.

Dr. Wright has been a member of the Noorda-COM Board of Trustees for the past two years.  He currently serves as Dean of the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University, a position he has held for the past 11 years. His extensive career in higher education began in 1995, and he has held numerous administrative leadership positions.

The Board anticipates that a new president may be appointed by this fall.

Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, president of Noorda-COM for the past two years, retired from his position at the institution effective June 30, 2021, following the achievement of critical objectives in starting the school in Provo.

The inaugural class of 90 Noorda-COM students begins this summer.

“The Board wishes to thank Dr. Nielsen for his vision and hard work to start a medical school in Utah County,” said Francis Gibson, chair, Noorda-COM Board of Trustees. “We appreciate his long-term service to Noorda-COM, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, his community, and communities throughout the world. Thousands of people in part owe their medical and health care to the work Dr. Nielsen has done and continues to do.”

Working with many leaders and stakeholders, Dr. Nielsen played an essential role in achieving a more than 10-year vision of bringing a medical school to Provo. His work included many crucial aspects in the development of the medical school, including:

• Successfully navigating the acquisition of the property for the new medical school from Provo City.
• Recruiting and appointing a world-renowned Dean and Chief Academic Officer.
• Helping meet all requirements to achieve each step leading to pre-accreditation status.
• Leading the team that secured significant funding for the development of the medical school.
• Welcoming the first 90 students comprising the inaugural class that will begin in the summer of 2021.

About Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Located in Provo, Utah, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) offers an innovative and unique medical education approach. Noorda-COM provides 21st-century medical students a curricular model blending active, small group learning with advanced laboratory experiences and research opportunities while also emphasizing school and life balance with a commitment to health and wellness. Noorda-COM focuses on preparing future residency-ready physicians committed to providing patient-centered healthcare. Noorda-COM is a private, proprietary institution. An independent governing Board of Trustees oversees Noorda-COM. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted Noorda-COM Pre-Accreditation status in December 2020. https://noordacom.org

A. Cory Maloy
Maloy PR
801-877-3112
cory@maloypr.com

Underwritten by Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., bond to fund facility expansion and operations.

PROVO, Utah, Apr. 21, 2021 – Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) announced today the issuance of $47,965,000 of Taxable Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds (Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Project) Series 2021A and $87,940,000 of Taxable Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds (Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Project) Series 2021B (together, the “Bonds”), both of which have been issued by the Public Finance Authority, as a conduit issuer, and underwritten by Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”).  The Bonds provide capital to expand capacity beyond the college’s current educational facilities, including the development and construction of a new medical school academic building, and to fund ongoing operations of the college.

Noorda-COM worked with Oppenheimer, as the underwriter, to secure the funding provided by the Bonds. Construction of the new facility is currently underway, with an estimated completion time for the summer or fall of 2022. It will provide expanded resources for the school’s roster of medical students and its faculty and staff. The facility will be located in Provo’s growing health, science, and technology district, next to the Timpanogos Golf Club golf course.

The inaugural class of 90 students will begin classes in August 2021 in Noorda-COM’s campus facilities located in the Timpanogos Tech Center. Construction of the academic center will continue during the academic year until completed.  

“In a year of milestones, this funding is significant,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding president and CEO of Noorda-COM. “For the past decade, we have worked diligently to bring forth the vision of a new medical school to serve medical students, and the people of Utah and the Intermountain West. During an unusual year caused by a global pandemic, Noorda-COM not only reached key milestones, but will open its doors to its inaugural class this summer. This bond funding will allow Noorda-COM to become a foundational institution of medical education as we raise the bar in medical education and training for decades to come.”

In addition to closing this funding, Noorda-COM reached several other milestones over the past several months including closing on a $42.8 million Public Infrastructure District bond led by D.A. Davidson, receiving approval for Pre-Accreditation status by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, hiring of dozens of professional faculty and staff, and forming local affiliation partners for core clinical education.

These achievements led to a significant milestone in student recruitment with Noorda-COM receiving more than 2,000 diverse medical student applications and admitting nearly all of its 90 students for the inaugural class. The students come from various locations and backgrounds including about 23 percent from under-represented minorities, nearly 50 percent women, and roughly 50 percent from Utah.

“This funding will provide Noorda-COM with greater opportunities to fulfill our mission in creating a transformational medical education model,” said Dr. John Dougherty, Noorda-COM founding dean and chief academic officer. “Noorda-COM students will obtain the highest quality medical education within a campus environment ideal for our unique student centric curricular model integrating technology and directed personal guidance.”

The expanded facility will include a beautiful campus layout comprising a 140,000 square-foot, four-story building housing academic offices, learning space, and industry-leading simulation space.

“This is a momentous project that will help fulfill the mission of Noorda-COM,” said Greg Stuart, a Noorda-COM trustee, and the developer for the project. “Development included working closely with Provo City to acquire the land where the new facility will be located. We’re pleased with the partnership we’ve established with the City to bring Noorda-COM and these facilities to the community for the benefit of all.”

John Nemelka, a member of the Noorda-COM Board of Trustee, and the economic specialist for the Noorda-COM project, said, “We worked very closely with Oppenheimer during the offering, and we are extremely pleased with their focus, dedication, and skill in structuring and closing this successful offering. This financing lays the groundwork for an incredible project that will help create solutions to the physician shortages in Utah and throughout the country.”

MHTN Architects is the architectural and design firm for the new academic building, and the general contractor is Westland Construction.

About Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Located in Provo, Utah, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) offers an innovative and unique medical education approach. Noorda-COM provides 21st-century medical students a curricular model blending active, small group learning with advanced laboratory experiences and research opportunities while also emphasizing school and life balance with a commitment to health and wellness. Noorda-COM focuses on preparing future residency-ready physicians committed to providing patient-centered healthcare. Noorda-COM is a private, proprietary institution. An independent governing Board of Trustees oversees Noorda-COM. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted Noorda-COM Pre-Accreditation status in December 2020. https://noordacom.org

Contact:
A. Cory Maloy
Maloy PR
801-877-3112
cory@maloypr.com