CROWN POINT – Franciscan Alliance, a nonprofit Catholic healthcare system with eleven hospitals in Indiana, is planning to build an osteopathic medical school in Crown Point. In addition to the medical school, Franciscan is developing plans to expand the number of post-graduate residency slots in Indiana by more than 250.
Franciscan anticipates opening its medical school in 2030, according to Kevin Leahy, President/CEO of Franciscan Alliance. The initial first-year class size will be 100 medical students. Enrollment will grow each year to 200 students in each class. The medical school will eventually reach a total enrollment of 800 students.
“Building a medical school will allow us to continue to expand our healthcare ministry,” said Ernest Iannotta, chairperson of Franciscan Alliance’s Board of Trustees. “Being able to train the next generation of physicians will benefit the state of Indiana in numerous ways. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to bring this project to fruition.”
Currently, Indiana has a shortage of physicians, especially primary care physicians, and those willing to serve in rural areas. Franciscan’s new medical school and post-graduate residency programs will help alleviate the shortage of healthcare professionals within the state of Indiana.
“Investing in our physician workforce is essential to achieving a healthier future for Indiana,” said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. “Franciscan Health’s new Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine school is a bold step forward to enhance our physician workforce to meet the needs of Hoosiers for generations to come.”
“Indiana leads the nation in retaining physicians who complete both their medical training and residency here, but the state still faces an urgent physician shortage,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “By expanding training opportunities, this new program will help close the physician workforce gap and improve access to care across Indiana.”
The medical school will be constructed by Tonn and Blank Construction Company on a 100-acre campus at Interstate 65 and U.S. 231 across the street from Franciscan Health Crown Point. Tonn and Blank Construction will work with developers interested in bringing associated retail and student housing to the campus to support the medical school.
“The City of Crown Point is excited to see Franciscan further its investment in not only Crown Point, but Northwest Indiana,” Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said. “Since Franciscan opened its hospital in Crown Point more than 50 years ago, the city has transformed into a beacon of healthcare.
“I want to thank the Sisters of St. Francis for your commitment and the care you have shown our community. This new school will ensure our residents continue to receive the best care in Northwest Indiana.”
Franciscan Alliance is in the process of selecting an administrative staff of physicians and experienced medical school leaders to complete the planning process. The target student body will comprise residents of Indiana and other Midwest states seeking a faith-based, high-quality medical education and those interested in practicing medicine in Indiana with Franciscan and affiliated partners.
Colleen Brewer, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Gary, said she is constantly impressed by how the Sisters of St. Francis continue to expand their ministries to best serve the community.
“Northwest Indiana is dedicated to offering high-quality education, and the addition of the Franciscan Alliance osteopathic medical school in Crown Point will be a great addition to the Region,” she said.
Brewer added that as the Diocese of Gary schools continue to discuss workforce development in its schools, the Franciscan Alliance osteopathic medical school in Crown Point will offer an opportunity for students to continue their education at a school that prioritizes healing of the entire person as part of their Catholic tradition.
Franciscan Alliance is a large Catholic health care ministry in the Midwest with 11 hospital campuses, more than 16,000 employees and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Hospitals include Franciscan Health Carmel; Franciscan Health Crawfordsville; Franciscan Health Crown Point; Franciscan Health Dyer; Franciscan Health Indianapolis; Franciscan Health Lafayette; Franciscan Health Michigan City; Franciscan Health Mooresville; Franciscan Health Munster; Franciscan Health Indianapolis Orthopedic Hospital and Franciscan Health Rensselaer.
