Roseman University looks at starting Southern Nevada medical school

A private university plans to establish a medical school in Southern Nevada, officials said on Friday.

The Roseman University of Health Sciences’ Board of Trustees recently authorized the university administration to start the accreditation process for the medical school. The university has a campus in Henderson and one in South Jordan, Utah, President Renee Coffman said.

“Throughout the history that we have had, it’s always our priority to look at the needs of the communities that we serve,” she said. “There’s definitely a need for physicians in Nevada.”

The need is greater in the southwestern region of the state, she said.

Between now and September, university officials will take the next step in the process, which could require two years, by applying for the medical school through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the U.S. and Canadian accrediting authority for medical education programs, Coffman said.

The medical school would focus on public health and disease prevention and geriatrics, she added.

“Nevada is very attractive to retirees, and people 50 and older are the predominant users of health care services,” Coffman said.

During the past seven months, university officials looked at the feasibility of the medical school, potential community partners and curriculum development. Officials then were able to put together a study.

The application process for the medical school will get the “ball rolling” for university officials, Coffman said, but they want to make sure they are fully prepared before they apply.

They still don’t have an estimated cost for the medical school, Coffman said, or how many students it would take for its first class.

The school would be funded by tuition fees once students are enrolled and by funds the university has put aside and philanthropic efforts.

There are a couple of sites that officials are looking at for the medical school, said Jason Roth, university spokesman.

But he said that university officials are not able to disclose the sites at this time.

Roseman’s total enrollment is 1,360, with 801 students at the Henderson campus, Roth said.

The school enrolled its first class of 36 pharmacy school students in Henderson in 2001.

Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.