The Franciscan Alliance's bold plan to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Indiana took one step closer to that goal.
On Aug. 10, The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, blessed the groundbreaking of the Franciscan Alliance School of Osteopathic Medicine.
“Expanding our healthcare ministry with the addition of the Franciscan Alliance School of Osteopathic Medicine will benefit the community, Region, state of Indiana and beyond,” Franciscan Alliance President and CEO Kevin Leahy said in a press release. “We are thankful to be able to bring this project to fruition with the support of our stakeholders and partners.”
Tonn and Blank Construction is building the 100-acre campus at the northeast corner of Interstate 65 and U. S. 231 in Crown Point. Franciscan also is partnering with the construction company to attract retail and student housing to the campus.
Administrators expect about 100 students in the school's first class, which is scheduled to start in 2030. Enrollment is expected to expand to 200 students per class, with a total enrollment of 800 students.
Franciscan is also working toward 250 more post-graduate residency positions in Indiana.
The Franciscan Alliance is a Catholic healthcare system that manages 11 hospitals and 16,000 employees. It was founding in 1875 in Lafayette.
