Press Release: Public Reception to Welcome Founding Dean of Proposed IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine
MEDIA ADVISORY: PUBLIC RECEPTION TO WELCOME FOUNDING DEAN OF PROPOSED IUP COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE; SEN. JOE PITTMAN TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT DURING EVENT
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 31, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: IUP Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, 711 Pratt Drive, Indiana, Pa.
Phi Sima Kappa rooms 6 and 7
Media are invited to attend this public reception, which will welcome founding dean Dr. Miko Rose and include a special announcement from Sen. Joe Pittman about support for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
In addition to remarks from Sen. Pittman and Dr. Rose, the event will include comments by Rep. Jim Struzzi, Rep. Brian Smith, IUP Council of Trustees Chairman Sam Smith, IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll, and Foundation for IUP President Regina Stover.
BACKGROUND:
In December 2022, IUP’s Council of Trustees endorsed the exploration of the development of a college of osteopathic medicine at IUP. There are only three colleges of osteopathic medicine in Pennsylvania, all at private universities; IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine would be the only college of osteopathic medicine at a public university.
Following a national search, in November 2023 Dr. Miko Rose, a board-certified physician in psychiatry and neurology who is nationally known for wellness programming, was selected as the founding dean for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
Dr. Rose comes to IUP from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she is Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Psychiatry in the Department of Clinical Medicine and Assistant Dean for Clinical Education.
She is also an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Joy Initiative Wellness Program at Michigan State University. She founded and started the Joy Initiative at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine schools. She completed her medical training at Michigan State.
Dr. Rose’s appointment was announced during the Second Annual Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference, co-sponsored by IUP and Indiana Regional Medical Center and hosted by IUP to mark National Rural Health Day.
CONTACTS FOR MEDIA:
IUP: Michelle Fryling, Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations, 412-309-1530; email: mfryling@iup.edu
Sen. Pittman’s office: Kate Flessner, Communications Director, 717-787-8724; email: kflessner@pasen.gov
