Meritus Health
MSOM

Welcome to the Proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine

Building the Next Generation of Expert Care, Close to Home

Meritus Health is officially seeking accreditation and licensure to open a proposed four-year osteopathic medical school in Hagerstown.

Career Opportunities

Join our inaugural faculty and inspire the next generation of physicians.

Preceptor Opportunities

Consider a preceptor opportunity to offer your guidance, mentorship and dedication to medical students and to medical education.

Addressing community health needs.

Meritus Health is officially moving forward with the accreditation and licensure process in order to open a four-year medical school in Hagerstown.

"Our mission is to improve health in the region," explained Meritus Health President and CEO Maulik Joshi. "As an anchor organization for this community, it is our privilege and obligation to positively impact the lives of over 200,000 people in our region. The proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine will do that. It will change the game for the health, education and economy for everyone."

Prepare future generations of physicians who are professionally accomplished, socially responsible, and community oriented.

To be a leader in community-based medical education.

Please see our Strategic Plan.

The Proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine supports a growing need

There is a growing shortage of physicians, and there are not enough new physicians being produced. Maryland is graduating fewer physicians, relative to population, than any other state.

124K

PHYSICIANS

National projected shortage of physicians by 2030

52

PHYSICIANS

Current Shortage in Washington County, Maryland

1 in 3

PHYSICIANS

is over the age of 60

Keep Up With Us

News & Updates

MSOM NEWS:Meritus celebrates groundbreaking of student housing complex
May 17, 2024

Meritus celebrates groundbreaking of student housing complex

Community leaders and supporters were joined by elected officials and community members Thursday evening to celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony for the student housing complex for the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. The complex, Meritus Commons, will include 340 one- and two-bedroom student apartments, a club house, commons area and dog park. The first 90 units will be completed in time for the proposed medical school’s first class to move in before the fall 2025 semester. The complex is just a quarter mile from the school’s flagship building, the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall, adjacent to the Meritus Medical Center campus, and will be accessible by a walking trail. “As we discussed our vision for the school, it was so clear that we wanted to provide a full campus experience for our students. It is essential that the students live here in Washington County,” said Dr. Paula Gregory, Dean of the proposed medical school. “By planting firm roots in our community, our hope and vision is that students will stay and practice medicine here and will love this community as much as we do.” Dave Lehr, Chief Operating Officer for the proposed medical school, told attendees the celebration was truly a celebration of Meritus’ investment in the community’s future, where there are ample physicians to provide essential services, one where the economy is bolstered and thriving, and one where higher education is accessible and poignant. “This is a critically important part of developing a world-class medical school in our community,” he said. “We aim to attract the best medical students in the country to our program. Part of attending medical school is living on campus, becoming part of the community and having access to all of the support that’s needed to thrive through such an arduous program.” Proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine The school’s flagship academic medical building, D.M. Bowman Academic Hall, remains on schedule for construction completion at the end of this year. The 200,000-square-foot, five-story building will house a state-of-the-art simulation center, simulation labs and a conference center that can host more than 600 people. Economic impact An independent economic impact study performed by Tripp Umbach shows the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine will bring considerable benefits to the region. Capital impacts from 2023-2026 are estimated at $268 million dollars, with 1,595 jobs created and estimated tax revenue of $6.2 million dollars. Once the school welcomes its first class, an estimated $500 million of economic impact is expected between 2025 and 2030, with more than $120 million per year to the Maryland GDP every year beyond 2030. “We know that health, education and the economy are all connected. Improving the economy of our region also enhances the health and wellness of our neighbors,” said Maulik Joshi, Meritus Health President and CEO. “We are thrilled to have a project that will improve and enhance so many important factors related to the quality of life in Washington County.”

MSOM NEWS:Proposed Medical School Construction Milestone Celebrated at Beam Signing Event
Oct 24, 2023

Proposed Medical School Construction Milestone Celebrated at Beam Signing Event

Just one year and a day after breaking ground on the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall, the future flagship building of the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, one hundred community leaders, elected officials and community organizations celebrated another milestone in the building’s construction by signing a steel beam. “Steel is a core ingredient for this building – a strong foundation of support, which truly is symbolic of those who are signing it to celebrate this milestone,” said Meritus Health President and CEO, Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H. “The support for this project has been incredible – our community is absolutely playing a significant role in the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine’s progress.” The Beam Signing event was attended by community leaders, local organizations, elected officials and donors who are supporting the capital costs of the new building, who have pledged a combined $11 Million dollars towards the project. The building, now framed in steel, will be 200,000 square feet and house classrooms, learning and technology labs and a conference center. Construction is expected to be finished next December, roughly eight months before medical students would use the facility. The proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to welcome its first class of students in the fall of 2025. “Every day we are building this medical school,” said Joshi. “We are building the curriculum, we are building community relationships, we are building our faculty and team, and of course we are building this building.” Joshi said an inaugural dean, Dr. Paula Gregory, and four associate deans have been hired and are supporting the licensure and accreditation process. As they continue to reach milestones, additional faculty and staff will be hired.

MSOM NEWS:Meritus Health expands physician education, focuses on training next generation of doctors
Jul 13, 2023

Meritus Health expands physician education, focuses on training next generation of doctors

Meritus Health is working to address a growing physician shortage. In 2019, the health system launched a Family Residency program, to help provide expert training to medical school graduates on their path to becoming practicing physicians. “We know that it takes years of training and experience to create a socially-responsible physician,” said Dr. Paula Gregory, Dean, proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. “Our organization has been invested in ensuring we are doing our part to develop the next generations of needed physicians.” As the graduate medical education programs continue to expand, Dr. Bradley Miller has been named the new Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education for the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, where he will coordinate the organization’s graduate and training programs, including residency and fellowship opportunities. Ahead of this announcement, Dr. Miller served in the Meritus Family Medicine Residency Program. He previously served as Program Director for UPMC’s Residency Program for 13 years in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. “Studies continue to show us that physicians will practice in the communities where they trained,” said Dr. Miller. “By investing in stellar education and post graduate education opportunities, we are creating pathways for passionate and well-trained physicians to care for our own community. I’m excited for the opportunities we are working so hard to create for the future physicians of our region.” The proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to welcome its first class of students in the fall of 2025. Construction on the 200,000 square foot academic building on the campus of Meritus Medical Center began in March.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

We Need Your Support

By supporting the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, you are directly impacting the health of our region. We are thrilled to develop a customized giving plan to support what matters most to you.