Proposed Medical School FAQ

Establishing a medical school is a monumental undertaking that demands meticulous planning, substantial resources, and a clear vision to address healthcare needs. Whether creating an allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) medical school, the process involves multiple stages, from assessing feasibility to achieving accreditations and launching a program that trains competent, compassionate physicians.  All of this requires collaboration with healthcare experts, community leaders, and educational consultants to validate the need and ensure the viability of the project.

Accreditation will be through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and programmatic accreditation through the Commission on Osteopathic Colleges Accreditation (COCA), the accrediting board for the American Osteopathic Association.

Accreditation is the first step towards opening a medical school. Aggressive work on this process is currently taking place.

If the timeline to proposed accreditation is achieved, students may be able to apply by late Spring, 2027.

С²ÝÓ°Ôº is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The COCA mandates that no discussion can be held with prospective students until such time that Benedictine has achieved Pre-Accreditation status. The projected date for reaching this stage of accreditation is Spring, 2027. At this time, student recruitment and discussions can begin. All questions at that time will be handled by С²ÝÓ°Ôº Admissions department. Additional information, including progress to accreditation, will be posted regularly on the С²ÝÓ°Ôº website.

Recruitment of faculty will most likely begin in Summer, 2026.

С²ÝÓ°Ôº plans to build a Health Sciences Complex to house both the proposed School of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Nursing. In preparation, the College has purchased an historic building located at 518 Unity St. in Atchison, just three blocks from the main campus. Built in 1916, this nationally registered 30,000 square foot, three-story brick and limestone building will be completely remodeled, while maintaining its architectural details. Preliminary plans for the renovation of this building and  new construction of additional buildings on the adjacent property are underway.

The construction window is from the Fall of 2026 through early 2028

The first class is projected to start Fall, 2028.

At the proposed С²ÝÓ°Ôº School of Osteopathic Medicine, clinical education is a cornerstone of training compassionate, skilled physicians who embody the osteopathic philosophy of holistic care and service to underserved communities. During their third and fourth years, students will engage in hands-on clinical rotations within a carefully curated network of affiliated hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities. This network is strategically developed to align with С²ÝӰԺ’s mission to train osteopathic physicians who serve rural and underserved populations while integrating Catholic values of compassion, mercy, and whole-person care—body, mind, and spirit. By partnering with healthcare facilities that share our vision, С²ÝÓ°Ôº will ensure that students not only gain clinical expertise but also develop a deep commitment to serving communities in need. These rotations cultivate physicians who embody the college’s mission to act as Christ’s hands, eyes, and ears, delivering compassionate care that transforms lives. Through this robust clinical network, the proposed С²ÝÓ°Ôº School of Osteopathic Medicine will prepare its graduates to make a lasting impact on healthcare, while upholding the highest standards of osteopathic practice, Catholic values and ethics.

An Osteopathic medical school curriculum is a 4-year curriculum with the first two years spent on the new medical school campus taking courses in foundational basic science, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and preparatory clinical skills courses. Curriculum will be delivered using innovative teaching methods targeting the learners of the 21^st century.  

In the third and fourth years, students will complete sequential clinical rotations in core medical specialties such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery,  Ob/Gyn, and Psychiatry as well as electives of interest with clinician preceptors in medical offices, clinics and hospital systems.

Once students have completed all requirements for graduation, they are granted a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and will have the initials, ‘D.O.’ after their name.

In the United States, physicians earn either a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) or a Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree, each representing distinct yet complementary paths to practicing medicine. Both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully trained, licensed physicians who practice in all 50 states across every medical specialty and subspecialty, from primary care to complex surgical fields. While their training and capabilities overlap significantly, the osteopathic medicine philosophy and approach offer unique advantages, emphasizing holistic care, preventive strategies, and hands-on techniques that enhance patient outcomes and overall well-being.

Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of medical school followed by residency training in their chosen specialty before becoming licensed physicians. This shared foundation ensures that both types of doctors are equipped to provide high-quality care. However, osteopathic medical schools provide an additional layer of training in evaluating the musculoskeletal system and training them to employ manual therapy techniques within a comprehensive treatment plan where applicable to enhance healing. This is central to osteopathic education and sets D.O.s apart, stressing the importance of searching for underlying causes rather than treating symptoms and fostering a more integrative and patient-centered practice.

Osteopathic medicine was founded in the late 19th century by Andrew Taylor Still, a Medical Doctor (M.D.) who sought to revolutionize patient care. Dr. Still observed that many patients experienced better healing and improved health when their physical structure—particularly the musculoskeletal and connective tissue systems—was properly aligned. He recognized that repetitive activities, whether from work or hobbies, could profoundly affect a patient’s health, recovery and response to treatments. Frustrated by the medical establishment’s resistance to integrating these principles, Dr. Still established osteopathic medicine as a distinct system that prioritizes the whole person—body, mind and spirit.

This holistic philosophy remains a cornerstone of osteopathic education and practice today. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and the patient’s overall well-being. D.O.s are trained to search for a cause rather than treating symptoms. They are taught to consider a patients structure and how it is impacted by their lifestyle, emotional health and environmental factors, fostering a deeper understanding of each patient’s unique needs. This comprehensive view aligns with a preventive mindset, helping patients achieve long-term health rather than merely addressing isolated issues.

Osteopathic physicians who include Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in their practice employ a set of hands-on techniques, collectively referred to as Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques (OMT). These are designed to restore balance and function to the body. All D.O. students receive extensive additional training—typically 200–300 hours—in evaluating the musculoskeletal system, understanding connective tissues (such as fascia), and learning and applying Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques (OMT) to address dysfunction. These techniques can alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance the body’s natural healing processes—often without relying on medications or invasive procedures.

For example, a D.O. might use OMT to relieve muscle spasm associated with chronic back pain, improve circulation in someone recovering from surgery, or even reduce stress-related symptoms by addressing physical imbalances. This hands-on approach empowers D.O.s to treat a wide range of conditions, from musculoskeletal issues to internal medicine concerns, with a unique and additional toolset unavailable to most M.D.s. All D.O.s are taught to evaluate patients within the framework of Osteopathic Principles and Practices, which emphasize considering the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This training in  OMT enables them to treat many disorders using just their hands, depending on their specialty and the patient’s needs, adding a layer of therapeutic flexibility that enhances patient care.

The osteopathic approach is grounded in the principle that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself when properly supported. Dr. Still’s founding philosophy emphasized optimizing the body’s structure to enhance its function, enabling patients to achieve better health outcomes. Today, D.O.s are trained to partner with patients, empowering them to take an active role in their health through preventive care, lifestyle modifications and tailored treatments. This patient-centered model fosters stronger physician-patient relationships, often leading to higher patient satisfaction and long-term wellness.

While both D.O.s and M.D.s are equally qualified to prescribe medications, perform surgeries and practice in any specialty, the osteopathic focus on prevention, holistic care and manual techniques can offer a more integrative experience for patients seeking comprehensive wellness.

Yes, D.O.s and M.D.s train and work side by side, often indistinguishable in their roles as surgeons, specialists or primary care providers. Both are dedicated to improving lives through evidence-based medicine. However, the osteopathic philosophy offers a unique perspective that prioritizes the whole person, hands-on care and prevention. For patients seeking a physician who combines cutting-edge medical knowledge with a holistic, patient-centered approach, a D.O. may provide an unparalleled experience.

Osteopathic medicine was founded in Kirksville, Missouri, by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, and it has steadfastly maintained a commitment to primary care, particularly for people in rural and underserved areas. С²ÝÓ°Ôº, situated in a rural community in Atchison, Kansas, embodies a similar pioneering spirit, rooted in bringing Christ’s teachings and compassion to these regions. Recognizing the critical shortage of physicians in rural settings, С²ÝÓ°Ôº saw an opportunity to address this need by establishing an osteopathic medical school that trains doctors to serve where they are most needed.

The osteopathic approach to evaluating and caring for the whole person—body, mind and spirit—perfectly aligns with Catholic values of ministering to the entire individual, body and soul. As Catholics, we honor Jesus Christ as the First Physician and Healer, who demonstrated profound compassion in His ministry. By training physicians to see patients through the eyes of Our Lord, to care for them with His love and mercy, and to act as His hands, ears, and eyes on earth, osteopathic medicine at С²ÝÓ°Ôº infuses healthcare with a spiritual dimension that is immeasurable.

This integration elevates medical practice to a true ministry, where healing extends beyond the physical to encompass emotional and spiritual well-being. By choosing osteopathic medicine, С²ÝÓ°Ôº not only prepares highly skilled physicians but also fosters a generation of healers who embody Christ’s compassion, making a profound impact on underserved communities and advancing holistic, faith-inspired care.

By choosing an osteopathic medical school, students embark on a journey to become physicians who not only treat disease but also empower patients to achieve optimal health. The osteopathic path is one of compassion, innovation and a commitment to seeing the whole person—a legacy that continues to transform lives today.

1. First and foremost, please pray for us and for the school. 
2. Stay up to date by checking in on our website, or .
3. If you are interested in joining the faculty or support team, please submit a CV or resume to Dr. Marla Golden at mgolden@benedictine.edu.
4. Financial support is also necessary and you can give through our website or contact Deacon Stan Sluder at 913-360-7486 or ssluder@benedictine.edu.

Any interested donors can give through our website or contact Deacon Stan Sluder at 913-360-7486 or ssluder@benedictine.edu.