MCW-Central Wisconsin set to welcome inaugural class July 5
The inaugural class of 26 medical students will begin their orientation at the new MCW-Central Wisconsin campus on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. The classrooms and administrative space for MCW-Central Wisconsin are located in Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) began designing regional campuses after a study released by the Wisconsin Hospital Association in November 2011that highlighted the need for more primary care physicians in Wisconsin. MCW-Central Wisconsin is the second of two regional campuses to open; MCW-Green Bay welcomed its first class of students in July 2015.
The curriculum for MCW-Central Wisconsin is three years rather than the traditional four-years, so students are beginning their academic year earlier than their Milwaukee counterparts. Also different is the immersive, collaborative model that has been developed in Central Wisconsin.
“Our regional campus program is created on a partnership model engaging local and regional healthcare systems, colleges and universities, technical colleges, government and the local business communities,” said Lisa Grill Dodson, MD, campus dean of MCW-Central Wisconsin. “As central Wisconsin’s medical school, we have tremendous support locally and from MCW-Milwaukee – so we will be able to deliver a high-quality, innovative curriculum, to give bright local students the ability to stay here and maintain their family and community obligations, and ultimately provide resources where there is a significant shortage of physicians.”
Facts about the first class:
- 13 men, 13 women
- 21 from Wisconsin
- Remaining students are from Arizona, Illinois, New York and Minnesota
- 16 different undergraduate institutions represented, including five in Wisconsin
- Academic and clinical partners include Aspirus Inc., Ministry Health Care, Northcentral Technical College, University of Wisconsin – Marathon County, University of Wisconsin – Marshfield/Wood County, and University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Students will participate in a traditional “White Coat Ceremony” July 7 at the UW Center for Civic Engagement in the James F. Veninga Theater. Media will be invited to attend and interview incoming students at that time. A media advisory will be sent in advance with details.
# # #
About the Medical College of Wisconsin
The Medical College of Wisconsin is the state’s only private medical school and health sciences graduate school. Founded in 1893, it is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in MCW’s medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, and 26 medical students are enrolled at MCW-Central Wisconsin. A regional medical education campus is scheduled to open in Central Wisconsin in 2016. MCW’s School of Pharmacy will open in 2017 or 2018 with an initial class size of 60 students. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In FY 2014-15, faculty received approximately $158 million in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes, of which approximately $139 million is for research. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,200 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,500 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 525,000 patients annually.
