BOSM | Photo by Christian Peters | The Wright State Guaridan
Wright State University (WSU) Boonshoft School of Medicine announced a plan for a $2.5 million expansion project, hoping to address national physician shortage and provide resources to medical students.
The project
The idea to expand Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) both in enrollment and in physical size was originally pitched at the October 2021 Board of Trustees Special Committee meeting. Final drawings and plans for expansion to White Hall, where BSOM is housed, were recently approved and released to the public.
The 2.5 million dollar project includes adding a classroom that would accommodate up to 200 students along with more study and collaboration spaces.
According to Dr. Valerie Weber, BSOM Dean, the current medical student class size remains at 132 students. Weber, along with university administration, want to increase the class size to 150 students.
The expansion will help accommodate the increased number of students, help the university financially and help Boonshoft provide more doctors for the area.
“It helps the university financially as well, but that’s not the main reason we do it [expand], we do it because we need doctors,” Weber said.
The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034.
The financial aspect of the project
About $1.25 million of the project will be funded by the Boonshoft Foundation funds, according to Weber. The other half of the needed funds will come from outside donors and fundraising.
Dayton-area medical systems including Premier Health, The Kettering Health Network and Dayton Children’s have already expressed support for the project.
“Your proposal to add space to the White Hall medical education building at the Boonshoft School of Medicine is one that will have a lasting impact on our entire community,” Mary Boosalis, President of Premier Health, said in a letter addressed to BSOM.
According to Weber, construction will not begin until the needed funds are secured. When started, the project will take approximately a year to complete.
Student opinions
Medical students are excited yet cautious over the new changes.
“Overall it is exciting with the caveat that it is fairly unlikely to have any bearing on the classes that are already here,” medical student, Michael Harrington, said.
While Harrington is excited about the new changes, he went on to explain concerns regarding faculty resources to meet the influx of students.
Dean Weber reported that BSOM is currently undergoing a review of the school’s resources and faculty.
