President & CEO’s Welcome
In 2007, my family and I moved to Africa to help launch a business school at the newly founded American University of Nigeria in rural Yola, Nigeria. It was a grand adventure, at least until my oldest son started experiencing flu-like symptoms. After a few days of him getting worse and worse, a more experienced friend suggested it might be malaria and that we take him to the local “hospital”. As I looked at the concrete floors and whitewashed walls of the humble medical clinic that was the best facility within hundreds of miles, I was wracked with guilt for having put my son in such a situation and an overwhelming anxiety that he might actually die due to my bad choices or, at least, suffer permanent damage to his health.
In a matter of minutes, we were attended by a local doctor in a white coat who immediately diagnosed malaria and laid out a course of treatment and recovery. He knew exactly how to treat malaria (as a doctor in rural Nigeria would) and had the medicine on hand to effect the cure. His knowledge and confidence reassured this panicked father and left me feeling indescribably grateful for that well-trained and empathetic doctor.
As you contemplate your path to becoming a compassionate osteopathic physician, I, along with the other members of our team, welcome you to the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM). I invite you to browse our website to see the possibilities and the benefits that are part of the Noorda-COM learning experience.
Our mission is to empower you with the essential personal and professional skills you need to be competent, confident, and compassionate osteopathic physicians. From the leadership team to the faculty and staff, we are committed to your success. You are why we exist. To facilitate your journey to becoming a physician, our team has created a blended curricular model that pioneers the integration of technology and directed, personal academic guidance and advancement, putting you at the epicenter of this previously uncharted medical education. I could not be prouder of the innovative approach our team has developed to support you.
Your diligent work combined with our expert coaching means that one day in the not-too-distant future, you will be the one in the white coat, competently and compassionately addressing the health challenges of people in the communities you serve. I hope that you will frequently recognize that same expression of gratitude in your patients that shone through my eyes in Yola, Nigeria so many years ago when a physician brought comfort and healing to a sick little boy and his anxious father.
Welcome to the Noorda-COM family. Let’s get started!
Norman S. Wright, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Noorda-COM is actively engaged in strategic planning, which is an on-going process. The 2023-2027 Noorda-COM Strategic Plan is available here.
