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Signing ceremony will reaffirm the schools’ commitment to medical education

At a special ceremony at Gannon Old Main, Gannon University and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine have renewed

Gannon President Antoine Garibaldi, PhD signs the affiliation agreement while LECOM President John Ferretti, DO watches. Observing the signing are Carolynn Masters, PhD, dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences; Keith Taylor,PhD provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; LECOM Provost, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs Silvia Ferretti, DO and LECOM Vice President and Dean of the School of Pharmacy Hershey Bell, MD.

the affiliation agreements that allow Gannon students to continue their studies at LECOM.

Citing the mutual benefits to students and to the institutions, Gannon and LECOM have elected to continue the “4+4” agreement for LECOM’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and the “2+3” agreement for LECOM’s School of Pharmacy. A collaborative partnership between Gannon and LECOM led to the formation of the pre-med and pre-pharmacy programs that encourage freshmen who are enrolling at Gannon to pursue these health professions.

“These programs accelerate a student’s path to medical and pharmacy school and simplify the acceptance process,” said Antoine M. Garibaldi, president of Gannon University. “Students who meet the requirements for the programs in high school are conditionally accepted into both Gannon and LECOM’s program simultaneously. Additionally, these students earn their doctoral degrees sometimes years faster than their peers at other institutions.”

According to John M. Ferretti, D.O., President and CEO of LECOM, more than 200 Gannon students have enrolled in LECOM programs since the founding of the College in 1993. Currently, more than 45 Gannon students are enrolled in the medical and pharmacy programs at the College’s Erie and Bradenton, Fla., campuses.

Representing Gannon and LECOM:are l-r Bethany Dunsmore, Gannon Sophomore and 2+3 LECOM Pharmacy Candidate; Shalyn Quigley, Gannon Sophomore and 2+3 LECOM Pharmacy Candidate; Katherine Jones, Gannon Senior and 4+4 LECOM Medical Candidate; Kaylee Bernardini and Karey Tyler; -LECOM first-year Pharmacy Students; Hannah Tripp, LECOM first-year medical student.

“Our two institutions, working side by side within this community, have brought forth many great health care professionals who truly are making a difference in peoples’ lives every day,” Dr. Ferretti said. “As the increasing clamor for health care professionals continues to escalate, LECOM will remain constant in its partnership with Gannon University to afford to the Erie community and to the nation qualified and capable physicians and pharmacists who remain unsurpassed in the country.”

Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology at Gannon University, is the director of the programs. A number of Gannon University faculty members, including Elisa Konieczko, Ph.D., associate professor, biology, and director of the biotechnology department; and Greg Andraso, Ph.D., associate professor, biology, also have been instrumental in the continued success of the programs.

Under the 4+4 agreement for LECOM’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, students attend Gannon University for four years and graduate with a bachelor of science degree in biology or chemistry. After earning their bachelor’s degree and provided they meet all requirements, which include scoring well on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), students then attend LECOM for four years. Students graduate from LECOM with the doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree.

One advantage of the 4+4 program is that it is an early acceptance program, Ewing said. The program allows high school seniors to have admissions interviews with both Gannon and LECOM. As a result, qualified students are guaranteed a seat in LECOM’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. “The agreement provides a measure of security for freshmen at Gannon because they know that if they fulfill all the requirements, the seat at LECOM will be there for them in four years,” Ewing said. “After four years at Gannon, they will not need an admissions interview for medical school, as they typically would with many programs.”

Students in the 4+4 program also have the opportunity to choose where they attend medical school: at LECOM’s main campus in Erie or at campuses in Greensburg, Pa., and Bradenton, Fla.

Under the 2+3 agreement for LECOM’s School of Pharmacy, students attend Gannon University for two years, followed by three years at LECOM. After five years, students graduate with the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

One advantage of the 2+3 program is that students who meet all program requirements at Gannon are guaranteed an admissions interview with LECOM. That guarantee similarly provides students with a measure of security, in terms of the opportunity to attend LECOM’s School of Pharmacy.

Another benefit of the 2+3 program is that students who meet all requirements can earn the doctor of pharmacy degree in five years; some pharmacy programs require six years of study. In addition, students can choose to study at LECOM in Erie or in Bradenton.

The Gannon and LECOM 4+4 and 2+3 programs each currently have 10 students; some medical and pharmacy programs have fewer seats available.

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The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offer innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Prepare yourself for medicine as your life’s profession.