Kansas City University (KCU) College of Osteopathic Medicine joins a select group of medical schools in the United States in receiving the highest status possible from the accrediting body of osteopathic medical education.
The American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) awarded KCU a status of EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOME. This accreditation is effective for the maximum ten years, granting KCU this outstanding status through 2028.
The designation comes after an extensive evaluation and review of campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Mo., to determine if KCU meets or exceeds standards in curriculum, mission, leadership, finances, facilities faculty, staff, students, research and graduate medical education outcomes. KCU has met every accreditation standard.
KCU is one of only four osteopathic medical schools in the nation to receive an exceptional outcome designation.
“This outstanding achievement for the University could not have been possible without the distinct leadership of our executive dean, Dr. Darrin D’Agostino,” said Edward O’Connor, PhD, MBA, executive vice president for Academic, Research and Student Affairs and provost. “His work with our faculty, staff and students was transformative and laid the groundwork for meeting COCA’s high standards for exceptional outcomes.”
“This is a proud moment for all of us,” said Darrin D’Agostino, DO, MPH, MBA, executive dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine and vice president for Health Affairs. “This exceptional outcome status is the result of many years of hard work by our faculty and staff and their dedication to the guiding principles of osteopathic medicine that KCU embodies every day.” D’Agostino said. “Our patient-centered approach, along with our innovative curriculum, hands-on early clinical experiences, standardized patients and simulation, access to student research and an emphasis on primary care has proven to be one of the best ways to educate physicians in the nation.”
“We are honored to receive the exceptional outcome designation,” said Marc B. Hahn, DO, president and CEO of KCU. “To carry such an outstanding accrediting status until 2029 is especially meaningful given the fact our Joplin campus expansion has only been open since 2017. That speaks volumes about the teamwork and collaboration among faculty and staff to provide the best possible training for the physicians of the future while improving the well-being of the communities we serve.”
Results of the COCA accreditation process will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.
