College of osteopathic medicine plans LV campus

Sito Negron

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 11:26 a.m.

A medical school appears likely to find its way to downtown Las Vegas, Mayor Oscar Goodman announced during his Thursday news conference.

A school official confirmed the news later in the day.

Goodman only briefly mentioned the development and was not available Thursday to discuss the issue. However, Dr. Deborah Blackwell, dean and CEO of Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Vallejo, Calif., confirmed that her school was intent on moving to downtown Las Vegas, possibly within a year.

"We're looking at a couple of different sites that we haven't finalized," she said, including "some vacant properties close to the old downtown area."

The deal is so close that the school has sent Dr. Jay Sexter to oversee the new campus. Sexter said he already has bought a home and plans to move to Las Vegas by early September to join his car and his wife, who already is here.

Blackwell said the institution is looking at an initial investment of $3 million to $5 million in the first year of operation, with about 75 students and an initial faculty of 18. She said the school has not asked for any financial help from the city in developing the project.

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes prevention of disease and focuses on the body's ability to regulate and heal itself. Doctors of osteopathy cover four years of schooling and are licensed to practice in all areas of medicine and surgery, Blackwell said. She said there are 20 colleges of osteopathic medicine and 49,000 osteopathic physicians in the country.

Sexter said the school is looking at three sites in Las Vegas and has talked to the mayors of Las Vegas and Henderson. He said both have been supportive of the school and its plans, which include expansion and contracting with local hospitals to provide service.

"We will sign shortly a contract for interns and residents, up to 72 of them," he said, declining to name the institution until the contract is finalized. "And we're talking to other hospitals about rotations, interns and residencies."

He also said the plans include more than the medical school.

"We're going to have a physical therapy program, an occupational therapy program, and we're looking into a nursing program," he said.

Blackwell said her school's plans fit perfectly with Goodman's goal of developing a medical industry.

"We see it as an ideal opportunity to improve the health of the community and provide training for individuals who want to stay," she said.