The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith has received accreditation for its Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine.
ARCOM is scheduled to hold graduation ceremonies for its first class of 145 students on Friday. The school received accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the agency recognized by the U.S Department of Education to accredit osteopathic medical schools in the country.
“When we first began this journey to create a medical school in 2014, we were the little engine that could, now we are a maximum engine train running at full steam,” said Kyle Parker, the CEO of ACHE. “The tracks are just being laid to a destination that will be transformative in medical education but also in healthcare, health and wellness in our community, state and region.”
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is also accredited by COCA. COCA monitors schools every year; ARCOM will have another full review in four years.
“We are thrilled with the outcome,” ACHE President Brian Kim said. “The COCA review has become more and more rigorous and thorough, particularly as the COCA itself, undergoes review by the U.S. Department of Education. We are very pleased with the accreditation outcome and are ecstatic to share the news with our students, faculty, staff, and community.”
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