PITT BRADFORD AND LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE SIGN 3+4 AFFILIATION AGREEMENT

 Erie, Pa. – Administrators from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Pitt-Bradford) and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) met Thursday, November 16, 2006 for a signing ceremony celebrating an exciting new articulation agreement leading to the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree.  The agreement allows Pitt-Bradford to accept undergraduate students into a “3+4 LECOM Medical Program.”

The programs will enable Pitt-Bradford students to transfer to LECOM after three years of study to begin medical education.  After completing their first year at LECOM they will earn their Bachelor of Science degree from Pitt-Bradford. Dr. Steven Hardin, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Lauren Yaich, Chair of the Division of Biological and Health Sciences and Associate Professor of Biology, and James Baldwin, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Registrar represented Pitt-Bradford. On hand from LECOM were John M. Ferretti, D.O, President and CEO and Silvia M. Ferretti, D.O., Provost/Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Christine S Kell, Associate Of Dean Of Preclinical Education and Susan Lazzaro, Director of Student Affairs.

Pitt-Bradford Assistant Dean Baldwin says students will be eligible to transfer into the medical school after three years at Pitt-Bradford. The programs are open to students majoring in biology, allied health, exercise science and chemistry.

 “This agreement opens yet another window of opportunity for our students,” Baldwin said. “By working with LECOM we are able to provide a direct path for interested Pitt-Bradford students to further their education beyond a baccalaureate degree and toward a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree.”

“We’re pleased that Pitt-Bradford has recognized the opportunity to train new doctors,” said LECOM President Ferretti. “We have sought for some time an affiliation in the northern tier of Pennsylvania to attract students who may want to return to that region and provide primary health care.”

“LECOM recognized the increased demand for doctors in rural Pennsylvania when we opened nearly 14 years ago,” said Dr. Silvia Ferretti. “Pitt-Bradford students also will have the opportunity to apply for a new three-year, primary health care degree program.  This will reduce their educational commitment and tuition costs by another year."

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is for students who want to earn a world-renowned degree in a personalized, safe and friendly environment.  Students can choose from 41 majors and more than 40 minors, concentrations and pre-professional programs. They study on a 317-acre campus, which is nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, providing unique opportunities to study both in the classroom and beyond. Pitt-Bradford is a four-year college of the University of Pittsburgh system. So, when students graduate, they have the prestigious University of Pittsburgh degree, which is recognized all over the world. For all of those reasons and more, The Princeton Review has named Pitt-Bradford one of the best colleges in the Northeast.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the fastest growing medical schools in the country.  LECOM has campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida offering the doctor of osteopathic medicine and doctor of pharmacy degrees.

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is a physician trained and licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states. D.O.s focus on the whole person and consider all facets of a person's life when treating illness, disease and injury. In addition to using all forms of standard medical treatment, D.O.s are trained to use osteopathic manipulative treatment to help diagnose injury and illness, to alleviate pain and to promote wellness. Osteopathic physicians work in partnership with each person to help promote health on physical, emotional and spiritual levels.

The Doctor of Pharmacy has become a key partner in primary health care and complements LECOM’s osteopathic, whole-person medical mission.

The demand for pharmacists is high due to the increased medication and health care needs of an older population. There are also a wide variety of practice settings for our graduates to choose from including, community, hospital, industry, mail service/internet, managed care, government, academia, and others.

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