Key milestone in accreditation process
 
PROVO, Utah, Jun. 24, 2019 – Following a year of working on its self-study, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) received notification from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of approval to advance to Candidate Status from Applicant Status.
 
The self-study was submitted by Noorda-COM to COCA whose Executive Committee accepted, reviewed and approved it on June 6th.

“This is three-months ahead of our original schedule,” said Dr. John J. Dougherty, founding dean and chief academic officer for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. “We are appreciative of the [COCA] commissioners’ careful consideration and acknowledgement. COCA found the self-study to be 100 percent in compliance with all administrative, academic and financial standards.”
 
The status change is one essential step in receiving full accreditation from COCA. The proposed Noorda-COM plans to submit self-study II later in the upcoming year, which if approved by COCA, will change the status to Pre-Accreditation. At that point, the college may begin student recruitment.
 
The U.S. Department of Education and Utah state regulators were also informed by COCA of the progress of the proposed Noorda-COM’s status.
 
The self-study outlines in detail the proposed Noorda-COM’s progress in preparing its leadership team, financial support, potential for integration in local and regional hospitals and clinics, and in other key areas.
 
The proposed Noorda-COM established a strong leadership team with the appointment of Dougherty as founding dean and chief academic officer, the appointment of Dr. Richard P. Nielsen as founding president and CEO and who is also founding president and CEO of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Francis Gibson, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the proposed Noorda-COM, and a governing Board of Trustees comprised of distinguished health and business professionals. The proposed Noorda-COM also has the financial backing of major investors and has developed strong relationships with the top hospitals, clinics and healthcare systems in the intermountain western region.
 
“We are very fortunate,” said Nielsen. “We have fantastic relationships in the community, a strong and active Board, generous investors, and some of the top healthcare leaders in the country helping us bring this medical school to our community. We could not do it without them.”
 
About the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
 
The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine would be an independent and freestanding institution overseen by a governing Board of Trustees located in Provo, Utah. It has achieved Candidate Status by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
 
Founded and located in Provo, Utah in June 1998, Wasatch Educational manages the development of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. www.wasatcheducational.com. Wasatch Educational is the holding company of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. The mission of Wasatch Educational is to promote and develop healthcare education institutions.
 
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PROVO, Utah, June 11, 2018 – The board of directors for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM) today announced the appointment of John J. Dougherty, DO, FACOFP, FAOASM, FAODME as founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Dougherty will shepherd the college through the accreditation process and identify and recruit a renowned team of professionals.
 
Dougherty’s appointment begins mid-July 2018.
 
“Dr. Dougherty is a proven transformational leader,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, board member, and vice president of Wasatch Educational, the entity who will manage the development of the medical school. “He has impeccable credentials and experience ensuring the proposed NCOM will become a world-class institution of osteopathic medicine. We are pleased he will join us in the delivery of the highest quality medical education available with this new and advanced medical school.”
 
Dougherty and his family are relocating to Utah County. They currently reside in Henderson, Nevada where Dougherty served as Dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University Nevada.
 
“NCOM’s mission falls in line with my personal and professional philosophy,” said Dougherty. “We will focus diligently on accomplishing our accreditation. Our priority will be to gather a team of professionals to craft an innovative curriculum and design a campus that will empower our students with the essential personal and professional skills needed to transform the future of healthcare. It is truly a privilege to be selected to be part of this extraordinary opportunity.”
 
About Dr. Dougherty
 
Dougherty has a 26-year history in Osteopathic Medicine with significant experience in College of Osteopathic Medicine leadership and graduate medical education. He is Board certified in Family Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine. Dougherty holds a fellowship in three Osteopathic Colleges – American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, and Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators. He completed the American Osteopathic Association national Health Policy Fellowship and currently instructs for the Fellowship. Dougherty also serves as an inspector for AOASM, ACOFP, Council on Postdoctoral Training, and as Inspection Team Leader for the Council of Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
 
A full bio of Dougherty’s credentials is available here. Photos are available here.
 
About the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
 
The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine would be an independent and freestanding institution overseen by a governing board located in Provo, Utah.

​Founded and located in Provo, Utah in June 1998, Wasatch Educational will manage the development of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. www.wasatcheducational.com. Wasatch Educational is the holding company of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. The mission of Wasatch Educational is to promote and develop healthcare education institutions.
 
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