School of Medicine groundbreaking set for Dec. 8

BUIES CREEK –  Campbell University will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8, for the new School of Osteopathic Medicine facility.  

The Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, with an anticipated start date of fall 2013, will be North Carolina’s first medical school in 35 years and the state’s first school of osteopathic medicine.  

Those expected to be in attendance include Gov. Beverly Perdue, State Rep. David Lewis, Dunn Mayor Oscar Harris and Tim McNeil, chairman of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners.  

Campbell’s efforts to launch a medical school will directly address the growing shortage of physicians in North Carolina. Additionally, per a study conducted by Dr. Michael Walden of N.C. State University, Campbell’s medical school will have an economic impact of more than $300 million and create more than 1,150 jobs in its first 10 years of operation.

“Launching a medical school is one of the most important steps ever taken at Campbell University,” said Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, President of Campbell University. “Our focus will be to train primary care physicians and address a critical shortage of health care professionals throughout North Carolina.”

The new 96,500-square-foot medical school facility will be located on U.S. 421 about one-quarter mile from the main Campbell University campus and will cost more than $60 million in construction and start-up costs.