PennWest develops pathway for graduate health degrees

A new partnership has been reached with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

By KELLEN STEPLER
TribLive

A new partnership will assist Pennsylvania Western University students with earning graduate health degrees.

PennWest — which has campuses in California, Clarion, Edinboro and online — has partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for doctoral programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine and podiatric medicine.

Qualified PennWest undergraduates can secure early admission into those degree programs while completing their bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, PennWest students, faculty and employees earn a 15% tuition discount on select graduate and doctoral programs in health administration.

PennWest officials say the partnership strengthens the pipeline of healthcare professionals in the state.

“This gives our students a more straightforward path into professional programs and helps them plan earlier for what comes next,” said Bob Mehalik, associate provost and graduate dean at PennWest. “At the same time, it reflects our responsibility as a public university to help meet Pennsylvania’s growing demand for healthcare professionals — especially in the communities we serve.”

PennWest spokeswoman Wendy Mackall said PennWest has similar agreements for students interested in pursuing a doctor of chiropractic: Northeast College of Health Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic and Logan University.

PennWest’s announcement comes as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, another university in the State System of Higher Education, is moving forward with plans to operate its own College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Mehalik said PennWest “is always open to the possibility of partnering with business, industry and all institutions of higher education in order to better serve our students.”

“As the ways students learn, engage and prepare for careers continue to evolve, PennWest is committed to meeting them where they are through flexible pathways, strong partnerships and student-centered opportunities that support their goals from day one,” Mehalik said.

“The goal with any new PennWest partnership and pathway is to encourage students to consider PennWest as a great starting place to begin their journey toward a career in a clinical setting.”