The new University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicineon San Antonio’s South side opened with fanfare this Thursday.
The program will graduate doctors who are DOs, not MDs.
Hundreds of people gathered in the main lecture hall to celebrate UIW’s new medical school, the second osteopathic school in Texas and the sixth Catholic medical school in the country.
"Very important day," commented former UIW President Lou Agnese. "The development, the opening of medical school founded in the principles of the Incarnate Word, on the south side, to give aspiration and choices to the young people of the state of Texas in an area of primary care which is so underserved in Texas.
It was Agnese's vision to add to his university’s nursing, optometry and pharmacy training by adding doctor training as well. Five years and $50 million dollars later, that vision is now a reality that will help change the healthcare and the economic future of the south side of San Antonio.
"We expect, over a 10 year period, about a $500 million impact," said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "And when people say the South will rise again, this is exactly what they’re talking about."
The campus uses four renovated aerospace medicine buildings at the former Brooks Air Force Base. It will serve as one of the anchors for that areas public-private revitalization project.
The incoming 162 students will have their white coat ceremony on July 31, 2017. Classes begin in August.
