For-Profit Schools

[Zerosixjt]

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I read an article that said midwestern university (which runs AZCOM and CCOM) is a for-profit school.

Is this true?

If so, how does this affect the education/reception in the community?

 

[Doc2007]

Midwestern University (MWU) is a non-profit, private, graduate school of medicine with two campuses: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (MWU/CCOM) in Downers Grove, Illinois and Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine(MWU/AzCOM) in Glendale, Arizona. Although it started as one college over a century ago training physicians only, it now has multiple campuses training health professionals in many different fields. Some of the degrees offered include Physician's Assistant (P.A.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.) and Podiatric Medicine Program (D.P.M.)

The P.A. Program is a 2-year program that starts in the summer. The D.O. and Pharm D. are 4-year programs. The D.O. degree is the legal and professional equivalent of the M.D. degree and that those holding it practice as physicians in all specialties from cardiothoracic surgery to family medicine.

The pharmacy's comprehensive curriculum includes Physiology and Biochemistry for the first year. After the first year, the courses are more pharmacy-oriented. For example, Midwestern University offers a 5-quarter course called Pharmacotherapeutics, in which the students learn about every drug on the market. The course sequence starts off with an introduction to over-the-counter medications.In the final quarter of the third year, the pharmacy students start rotations. This allows students to gain experience in actual pharmacy settings, receiving instruction from pharmacists. In 1997 the first class of the College of Health Sciences program of physical therapy graduated from Downers Grove Campus.

The D.O. program is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.

Recently Midwestern University has announced a $140 million expansion plan including a new College of Dental Medicine, new degree programs in Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Psychology, and new facilities.

Major components of the plan for the Glendale Campus include a new College of Dental Medicine, slated to open in autumn 2008; new master’s and doctorate programs in Clinical Psychology to begin in autumn 2007; and the construction of an off-site teaching clinic, including a $50 million, 200-chair dental clinic in an underserved Valley location yet to be determined. A new Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences is to begin in autumn 2007 at MWU’s Downers Grove Campus, and will begin at the Glendale Campus soon after.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_University

 

[rabok416]

Any school that is accredited here in the U.S. will provide a good medical education. Both for-profit and non-profit institutions have an incentive to provide a quality education to their students. I think any med school wishes to stay in business and therefore maximize the utility of all involved.

Sometimes people talk about an institution being "for-profit" as if that is a bad thing. We all seek profits, monetary or otherwise. I will be a profit-seeking doctor, but that doesn't preclude me from offering my services to those without monetary means. The principle of economic profit is the reason that we can choose from among 31 flavors of ice cream. It is the reason that we have life-saving drugs. It is the reason that Wal-Mart served those affected by Hurricane Katrina better than a federal government that, as a monopoly, had little incentive to serve anyone. Profits aren't the evil that many make them out to be. I am not saying that financial profits are any kind of motive for being a doctor or for providing medical education. I am simply saying that quality service, be it education or any other, is not restricted to organizations covered by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

[Dr JPH]

For profit means they need to offer a good service in order to make money.

Midwestern is a good system

 

[toothless rufus]

Who makes the profit?

 

[Zerosixjt]

Let me clarify. I am NOT nocking these schools.

I was just curious, especially since the CO school is rumored to be for profit.