CPE board approves additional budget request for new osteopathic medicine program at EKU

March 16, 2026

At a special meeting of the Council on Postsecondary Education, the board approved an appropriation request of $50 million to the General Assembly for Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to stand up a new doctoral program in osteopathic medicine. The program would be the state’s second osteopathic medicine program (in addition to the University of Pikeville’s).

The $50 million investment would provide for an initial escrow fund required by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation ($42 million), to be returned to the state upon final accreditation and graduation of the program’s first class, as well as one-time start-up expenses ($8 million). EKU has already requested $330 million for a new health center to support all health science programs at the university, and plans to hire 32 new faculty in a phased, strategic rollout pending final budget and program approval.

In his presentation to the board, Dr. David McFaddin, EKU President, said, “As Kentucky’s workforce university, EKU has a long tradition of preparing healthcare professionals to serve communities across the state. Establishing the proposed Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program would build on that legacy while helping address Kentucky’s growing physician shortage, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.”

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are licensed physicians who practice holistic, patient-centered medicine, most often in primary care or emergency settings. EKU’s program will focus on serving rural and medically underserved communities across Kentucky. The program combines four years of undergraduate coursework with one to three additional years of advanced residency training.

“Over two million Kentuckians live in medically underserved areas, and 94% of our counties don’t have enough primary care physicians,” said Dr. Aaron Thompson, CPE President. “We are hopeful these future graduates will give back to their regions and help alleviate healthcare practitioner shortages.”  

Senate Bill 77, passed during the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly, allows comprehensive universities to propose new doctoral programs when certain undergraduate student success and financial stability metrics are met. EKU has completed the preliminary requirements for program approval, including a feasibility study by an outside evaluator, proof of market and student demand, and an analysis of how programmatic accreditation requirements will be met. If the General Assembly funds the new program, it will go before the CPE Board for final approval.

Council meeting materials are available here. The board will hold its next work session on April 2, followed by the regular board meeting later that day, at the CPE offices in Frankfort.