Jacksonville University Breaks Ground On Northeast Florida’s First Four-Year Medical School

Jacksonville University (JU) just began construction on the region’s first four-year medical school.

The project, a collaboration with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), was launched at JU’s Medical Mall, an area designed to integrate education, training, and clinical services within health sciences.

LECOM is investing approximately $50 million to establish its Jacksonville campus, which is set to welcome its first class of around 75 medical students in 2026. Over the next five years, enrollment is expected to grow to nearly 150 students annually. By 2030, the new school is projected to generate more than 600 jobs and contribute an estimated $60 million annually to the local economy.

“LECOM has always been dedicated to advancing medical education, and the opening of our new campus in Jacksonville marks a pivotal moment for the region’s healthcare future,” said Dr. John M. Ferretti, president and CEO of LECOM. “This facility will not only train the next generation of physicians but will also strengthen the healthcare workforce in Northeast Florida, improving access to quality care and meeting the region’s growing medical needs.”

LECOM is the largest medical college and osteopathic academic health system in the U.S., with campuses in Bradenton, Elmira (NY), Greensburg (PA), and Erie (PA). The college also has teaching agreements with over 100 hospitals and clinics across 10 states, including Florida.

Osteopathic medicine, which focuses on treating the whole patient rather than just symptoms, is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the U.S., according to JU officials. The 2021 Osteopathic Medical Profession Report noted that nearly 135,000 osteopathic physicians were practicing in the U.S., and more than 25% of medical students were training in osteopathic medicine.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan praised the new school as “a fantastic addition” to both Jacksonville University and the region’s healthcare system. “Jacksonville has some of the best healthcare institutions in the country,” she said. “The addition of LECOM will ensure we have the doctors needed to support our rapidly growing city for decades to come. I look forward to the impact LECOM and its inaugural class will have on our community.”

JU’s Medical Mall already includes the university’s 104,000-square-foot Health Sciences Complex, a School of Orthodontics and Occupational Therapy teaching facility, and Dolphin Pointe Health Care, a 146-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility.

LECOM’s third- and fourth-year medical students will gain clinical experience through partnerships with local institutions such as Baptist Health, Nemours Children’s Health, and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital. Additional clinical training sites include Ascension St. Vincent’s, Jacksonville VA Clinics, Cancer Specialists of North Florida, Borland Groover, Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute, Duval County Medical Examiner’s Office, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, MBB Radiology, UF Health St. Johns, AdventHealth, Island Doctors, Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, Wekiva Springs Center, and Gateway.

Source: Health News Florida