Robert Morris U. advances planned osteopathic program

Robert Morris University's plans for a school of osteopathic medicine have moved ahead with recent approval from the state Department of Education for the school and its doctor of osteopathic medicine degree program.

The university now awaits national accreditation for the school from the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, and continues to plan to enroll the school's first class in fall 2008.

Working with the accreditation process is the future school's dean, Oliver Hayes, D.O., also vice president of RMU's College of Health Sciences.

The school would be the third osteopathic medical school in the state.