HAGERSTOWN, MD — A proposed medical school in Hagerstown is getting a boost from a local foundation.
The Jone L. Bowman Family Foundation has announced it will donate $6 million toward the capital costs of the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine now being built on the hospital’s Robinwood campus.
A news release from Meritus says the facility is a response to the current physician shortage in the region, in the state and in the nation.
“Meritus Health continues forward with its plan to build an osteopathic medical school in Hagerstown, the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine.”
“As the community’s sole healthcare system, we cannot simply consider the health needs of today, we are responsible for ensuring the future health needs of our community as it grows and welcomes new generations,” said Meritus Health President and CEO and President of the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H.
Last July, Meritus announced plans to open a medical school by the year 2025. As the health system continues to meet all accreditation and licensure milestones, including hiring an inaugural dean and breaking ground on a 200-thousand square foot, state-of-the-art academic building, it shares another large announcement this July – a major donation from the Jone L. Bowman Family Foundation of $6 million to support the capital costs of the building.
“We are extremely grateful for the Jone L. Bowman Family Foundation’s incredible donation to support our vision,” Joshi said. “Their family is so committed to our community, and this support is absolutely incredible. It surely will mean our children and grandchildren have access to the care they need and deserve. We are so proud to share that our flagship academic building will be named the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall in honor of this tremendous support, a location that is so much more than a building, it will inspire and educate future generations of socially responsible physicians.”
Joshi said that as of July, the community has pledged more than $11 million in total towards the school.
The Meritus Healthcare Foundation is promoting a capital campaign, and community members interested in supporting the school can learn more at MSOM.org.
