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At a special ceremony held in Wheeling Jesuit University’s president’s office today, WJU and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) signed affiliation agreements to allow Wheeling Jesuit students to continue their studies at LECOM. Msgr. David A. Rubino, Ph.D., LECOM Senior Vice Provost and WJU Interim President Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, OSU, took part in the signing.

Citing the mutual benefits to students and to both institutions, WJU and LECOM will begin a “4+4” agreement for LECOM’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and a “3+3” agreement for LECOM’s School of Pharmacy. A collaborative partnership between WJU and LECOM led to the formation of the pre-med and pre-pharmacy programs that encourage freshmen at WJU to pursue these health professions.

“This new agreement will accelerate our students’ path to medical and pharmacy school and simplify the acceptance process,” said Thrailkill. “Students who meet the requirements for the programs in high school are conditionally accepted into both WJU and LECOM’s program simultaneously.”

Students will spend four years in Wheeling as science majors, then four years at LECOM, to earn osteopathic degrees. For the pre-pharmacy program, students would spend three in Wheeling, then go onto LECOM for either three or four years of pharmacy study.

“We are very pleased to offer this option to our students and expect it to attract great students,” said WJU Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Peter Ehni. “LECOM’s programs are topnotch, attractive choices for students wanting careers in medicine.”

“The agreement provides a measure of security for freshmen pursuing these advanced degrees because they know that if they fulfill all the requirements, the seat at LECOM will be there for them,” Rubino said. “After four years at WJU, they will not need an admissions interview for medical or pharmacy school, as they typically would with many programs.”

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offers innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, Pa., Greensburg, Pa., and Bradenton, Fla., LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

WJU pre-pharmacy students can choose from either the Erie or Bradenton campuses and pre-medical students pick from all three. WJU is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. Since 1995 U.S. News & World Report has ranked it among the top institutions in its “Best Master’s Universities in the South” category. WJU ranks 180 out of 600 in the Forbes Best Colleges survey 2009.