Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, has received a $50 million donation to support the launch of a College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The university says the gift is the largest in the university’s 192-year history.
The Xavier University College of Osteopathic Medicine is being created to address a critical need for additional primary care doctors throughout Ohio. According to forecasts from the Robert Graham Center, a policy research firm in family medicine and primary care, Ohio must add nearly 700 primary-care physicians to its workforce by 2030 to catch up with demand.
To house the college — set to become only the second osteopathic medicine school in Ohio and the 40th nationally, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine — Xavier plans to construct a complex on its main campus.
A feasibility study commissioned by the university found that construction of the college’s facilities will generate about $125.5 million in economic impact, support more than 740 jobs, and produce $3.2 million in state and local taxes.
Xavier says the presence of a medical college will set up the university for a strong interprofessional environment surrounding health care education. Less than 5% of all colleges and universities in the United States offer a medical degree, and those that do have stronger health science programs offering higher community health outcomes.
By 2033, the college could directly and indirectly support 351 jobs in the region while generating $48.5 million in total economic impact per year and $1.7 million in state and local taxes, according to the feasibility study.
An inaugural class of 75 students is expected to begin classes in 2027; the college will gradually expand class sizes to 150 per class.
