“Receiving full accreditation from LCME is the realization of our vision for the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, and an affirmation of the high quality and standards of its educational program,” says Founding Dean Bruce Koeppen, M.D. “It is a critical milestone in the life of a medical school and enables us to continue attracting the highest-caliber students. This is a thrilling moment that was made possible by the hard work of our entire team, including our board of trustees, senior administration and faculty and staff across all three campuses.”

In its formal findings, the LCME survey team recognized several positive observations, including an organization and operation that facilitates the schools educational mission and goals; developmental activities that help faculty effectively carry out their roles as educators; outstanding physical facilities for learning and study, with modern, well-lit instructional areas, ample study space and “au courant” academic technology; an innovative Scholarly Reflection Capstone Course that fosters well-rounded students who understand the importance of scholarship in the practice of medicine; a multi-faceted interprofessional education program; and clinical partners that are strongly supportive of school’s educational mission and aligned with its primary care emphasis in physician workforce development.

LCME accreditation is a peer-review process of quality assurance to determine if a medical school program meets established standards in medical education. New schools go through a rigorous three-step accreditation process, which began for the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine in 2012. Full accreditation is granted for five years. The school’s next accreditation site visit will take place during the 2021-22 academic year.

The accreditation comes as the 59 members of the school’s inaugural class prepare to receive their MD degrees on May 14, 2017. The school has now grown to 330 students, a number that will increase to 360 in August with the class of 2021.

Named for the renowned physician-turned-medical-illustrator, the school is a student-centered medical school that emphasizes primary care. The school’s innovations include holistic admissions, curriculum and architecture designed to provide cutting-edge technology and medical simulation, and link the medical school with the university’s Schools of Health Sciences and Nursing to promote team-based care and interdisciplinary interactions.