On Wednesday, December 10, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Indiana County Coroner’s Office formalized a pre-clinical training agreement for future students at IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
This is the first pre-clinical training agreement between an outside institution and IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
From left, Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, Nate Nevala representing Congressman Guy Reschinthaler, Rep. Brian Smith, IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans, IUP Vice Provost and Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences Hilliary Creely; IUP Interim Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences Lisa Newell, IUP College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs Dean Curt Scheib, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose, IUP John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Steve Hovan, IUP President Michael Driscoll, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Associate Dean of Preclinical Affairs Luke H. Mortensen, Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman, Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess, Indiana County Commissioner Chair Michael Keith, Emily Lewis representing Rep. Jim Struzzi, and Diann Overman representing Sen. Joe Pittman.
The formal signing agreement took place at the Indiana County Forensic Center, with remarks from Indiana County Board of Commissioners members Michael Keith (chair), Bonni Dunlap, and Sherene Hess; Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman; IUP President Michael Driscoll; IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose; IUP College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs Dean Curt Scheib; and IUP John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Steve Hovan. Brian Smith, Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, Nate Nevala representing Congressman Guy Reschinthaler, Diann Overman representing Sen. Joe Pittman, Emily Lewis representing Rep. Jim Struzzi, and Assistant District Attorney Meghan Foulk were also in attendance.
From left, IUP President Michael Driscoll, Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman; IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose
Additional IUP leadership in attendance included IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans, IUP Vice Provost and Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences Hilliary Creely, Interim Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences Lisa Newell, Associate Professor of Anthropology Andrea Palmiotto, Professor of Biology Dan Widzowski, and IUP Director of Strategic Partnerships Christina Koren.
IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine has “candidate status” from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, which recognizes that IUP has done the required planning and has the resources necessary to apply for pre-accreditation status within two years. “Candidate status” is the second step in seeking accreditation from COCA.
The IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine team is working on the next step in the accreditation process, seeking “pre-accreditation status.” When proposed colleges achieve pre-accreditation status, they are permitted to begin recruiting students.
Read the remarks from:
IUP’s Council of Trustees endorsed the exploration of a possible development of a college of osteopathic medicine at IUP in December 2022.
Through this agreement, it is anticipated that future students in the proposed college of osteopathic medicine will have weekly classes at the Indiana County Forensic Center as part of their anatomy studies and laboratory work.
Today’s event also recognized the potential opportunities offered by Indiana County Coroner Overman to welcome students from many different disciplines for a range of interprofessional education across health fields and experiential training and opportunities at the Indiana County Forensic Center.
IUP President Michael Driscoll at podium, Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman seated at left
“This pre-clinical agreement provides an important clinical experience for our future students in the proposed college of osteopathic medicine, and it opens new doors for interprofessional education across health fields and interdisciplinary collaboration for multiple colleges and programs, including in IUP’s new forensic sciences major,” President Driscoll said.
“From the very beginning, starting with his input during IUP’s development of the forensic science major, Coroner Overman has been incredibly supportive of IUP, including our proposed college of osteopathic medicine, with innovative thinking about the bigger picture related to addressing the rural health crisis,” Founding Dean Rose said. “For example, while other college of medicine education programs often include students observing autopsies, he is willing to have students at the Center on a regular, weekly basis as part of anatomy training,” she said.
“This kind of pre-clinical training opportunity is very unique for colleges of medicine,” she said. “There are very few—if any—medical schools that provide this kind of hands-on program,” Rose said. “Having part of our future students’ anatomy training with the Indiana County Forensic Center provides a very different perspective to understanding wellness, disease, and understanding causes of death,” she said.
“In addition to providing a unique pre-clinical anatomy training for our future students, it provides real-life exposure to the field of pathology,” Rose said. “There is a critical shortage of trained pathologists, especially in rural areas, so this collaboration can potentially help to fill an important workforce need,” she said.
From left, IUP College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs Dean Curt Scheib, IUP John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Steve Hovan, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose, IUP President Michael Driscoll, Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman, Indiana County Commissioner Bonni Dunlap (at podium), Indiana County Commissioner Chair Michael Keith, Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess
“I am deeply honored to grow this partnership with IUP,” Coroner Overman said.
“For me, this collaboration is not just about professional progress; it’s about people. Every day, the Coroner’s Office meets families at one of the hardest moments of their lives. Being able to offer them answers, care, and respect matters profoundly to me. By working closely with IUP, we can continue learning, improving, and staying connected to the latest advancements that help us serve those families with greater compassion and understanding. I am truly grateful for the chance to walk this path with IUP and to strengthen the support we give to our community together.”
IUP’s forensic science major, launched in fall 2025, draws on collaborators from PennWest University, departments in the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs and the Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, along with potential partnerships with Indiana County agencies, including the Indiana County Forensic Science Center. Palmiotto authored the forensic science major proposal, approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors in July. The major began admitting students in fall 2025.
In addition to coursework, forensic science majors are required to complete a research project or internship, which could take place with the Indiana County Forensic Center. IUP has also offered its taphonomic and decomposition outdoor facility as a resource for the Indiana County Coroner’s Office and other agencies.
Typically, students in colleges of osteopathic medicine spend the first two years of their education in the classroom, which is considered pre-clinical education. During the third and fourth years, students are based in the community at clinical sites.
Securing clinical training sites for students is part of the successful accreditation process; IUP has secured more than 230 percent of the needed clinical training spots, surpassing the 120 percent required for accreditation. Securing pre-clinical training opportunities is not a requirement for accreditation.
Seated, from left, Indiana County Commissioners Michael Keith, Sherene Hess, and Bonni Dunlap; IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose standing
Formal clinical training affiliation agreements for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine are in place with Conemaugh Miners Medical Center, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Penn Highlands Healthcare, Clarion Psychiatric Center, Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Broad Top Area Medical Center, Hyndman Area Health Centers, Nulton Diagnostics and Treatment Center, The Primary Health Network, Indiana Regional Medical Center, and Punxsutawney Area Hospital. IUP has signed agreements with three Department of Human Services’ state hospitals: Clarks Summit State Hospital, Torrance State Hospital, and Warren State Hospital.
Rose was hired as the founding dean of the proposed college of osteopathic medicine in November 2023; the hiring of a founding dean is one of the first steps to establishing the college. Founding Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith and Founding Associate Dean of Preclinical Affairs Luke H. Mortensen joined the team in 2024.
Named one of Pennsylvania’s Fifty Over 50 top leaders in 2024 by City & State Pennsylvania, Rose is one of fewer than 150 physicians elected as a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists by the Fellows of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists/American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists.
There are only three colleges of osteopathic medicine in Pennsylvania, all at private universities; IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine would be the only college of osteopathic medicine at a public university.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine, or DOs, complete four years of osteopathic medical school, with an emphasis on preventive medicine and comprehensive patient care. They are trained to recognize the interrelated unity among all systems of the body, each working with the other to promote overall health and wellness. Osteopathic medical schools have a long tradition of serving rural communities. Physicians who are trained in osteopathic medicine are four times more likely to select primary care specialties and almost twice as likely to practice in rural areas as allopathic (MD) students are.
National studies show that graduates from programs of osteopathic medicine are more likely to pursue primary care in rural and underserved areas—57 percent of all doctors of osteopathic medicine practice as general practitioners, and more than 20 percent of DO graduates practice in rural areas. Demand is high for osteopathic medicine training: in 2021, 22,708 applicants competed for 8,280 seats at schools of osteopathic medicine.
IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine and IUP’s commitment to addressing the rural health crisis have resulted in funding from individual donors, foundations, agencies, and legislators totaling more than $48 million.
Fundraising for the project is part of IUP’s Impact 150 $150-million comprehensive fundraising campaign, raising funds for healthy students, a healthy university, and healthy communities.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025 and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.
About the Indiana County Coroner’s Office
The Indiana County Coroner’s Office is deeply committed to serving our community with professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Our mission is rooted in the thorough forensic investigation of all sudden and unexpected deaths, carried out as an independent and unbiased agency dedicated to uncovering the truth. We prioritize the continual advancement of medico-legal knowledge through ongoing education, and we work to prevent unnecessary and untimely deaths by promoting public awareness and safety programs for citizens of all ages. Above all, we strive to provide compassionate care and meaningful assistance to families experiencing the profound loss of a loved one.
In November 2023, Indiana County reached a historic milestone with the opening of the Indiana County Forensic Center, the first facility of its kind in our county’s history. Attached directly to the Coroner’s Office, the Forensic Center offers a state-of-the-art autopsy suite designed to support the highest standards of forensic practice. The facility includes two autopsy tables, portable X-ray capabilities, and advanced digital fingerprint scanners.
Our investigative work is further supported by modern tools such as 360-degree scene cameras, drones, and a TacticID drug analyzer, each contributing to thorough, accurate, and scientifically grounded investigations. In addition to serving Indiana County, the Forensic Center also performs autopsies for surrounding counties, extending our expertise and strengthening regional medicolegal services.
The Indiana County Coroner’s Office is staffed by three Pennsylvania-certified medicolegal death investigators and a dedicated team of 10 transporters. Together, we are committed to ensuring every case is handled with dignity, precision, and unwavering respect for the families we serve.
Remarks from IUP President Michael Driscoll
Good afternoon.
Thank you for joining us today for this special occasion.
This signing marks a significant milestone, not only for IUP but for our region and for the future of health and science education.
Today, we are signing the first pre-clinical training agreement for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. It’s another key step as we work toward welcoming our first class of medical students in the fall of 2027.
Under this agreement, future students in the proposed college of osteopathic medicine will have the opportunity to study anatomy and conduct laboratory work here at the Indiana County Forensic Center.
These collaborations will provide students with hands-on experience in a real-world setting, giving them a strong foundation before they begin clinical training. This is precisely the kind of innovative, experiential learning that sets IUP apart.
But what makes today exciting is that this partnership reaches beyond medical education.
The Indiana County Coroner’s Office will also open its doors to students from other disciplines, such as those in our new Forensic Science major and those studying criminology, biology, and other related fields. These students will gain invaluable experience in a setting where science meets service, preparing them for careers in health, safety, and justice.
The forensic science program itself is an excellent example of collaboration. It draws on expertise from across IUP and PennWest University, offering three specializations: Applied Crime Scene Investigation, Laboratory Forensics, and Digital Forensics.
Students will complete a capstone project, either an internship or independent research, and this agreement creates opportunities for those internships right here at the Indiana County Forensic Center. That’s the kind of cooperation that benefits everyone: our students, our partners, and our community.
This agreement is more than a signature on paper. It represents what IUP does best: We collaborate with our community to meet real needs. The Coroner’s Office plays a vital role in public health and safety; by working together, we can enhance education and service. It’s a win for our students, a win for our partners, and a win for the people of Indiana County.
While our proposed college of osteopathic medicine remains central to this vision, today reminds us that health and well-being are broad and interconnected. Preparing students to serve rural communities, and all communities, requires creativity and collaboration. That’s what we’re celebrating today.
Thank you to Coroner Jerry Overman and the Indiana County Coroner’s Office for your leadership and commitment to this partnership.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this agreement possible. Together, we are building opportunities that will make a difference for years to come.
Thank you.
Remarks from Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman
Good afternoon, everyone! We are gathered here on a truly remarkable and hopeful day for Indiana County and for Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us as we celebrate a major step forward—the formal signing of the pre-clinical training agreement between the Indiana County Coroner’s Office and the proposed IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine. It would be incomplete if I failed to acknowledge the other colleges, which include the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs and the Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at IUP.
This is more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of partnership, of progress, and of a shared belief that the future of healthcare in our region can be strengthened by what we begin here today. It is not every day that we witness a moment that shapes the direction of education, public service, and community health all at once. Today is one of those rare and meaningful days.
Before we continue, I would like to recognize and extend heartfelt appreciation to those whose presence makes this occasion even more special:
- The leadership of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, who have worked tirelessly to bring the vision of a medical college to life.
- Members of the College of Osteopathic Medicine planning committee, whose dedication and expertise have guided this project with remarkable momentum.
- Local, state, and federal officials, civic leaders, and community partners who advocate for the advancement of healthcare and education in our county.
- Representatives from partnering institutions and agencies who share in our commitment to serving and improving the well-being of our communities.
- And finally, the dedicated staff of the Indiana County Coroner’s Office—professionals who carry out some of the most important and compassionate work in public service.
Your support, collaboration, and belief in this mission are truly appreciated.
Today's event marks a milestone not just for two institutions, but for countless individuals who will ultimately benefit from the work we begin today. We are celebrating the creation of learning opportunities for future osteopathic physicians—opportunities rooted in real-world experience, community partnership, and a commitment to excellence.
The signing of this agreement represents a promise: a promise to prepare future physicians with knowledge that reaches beyond textbooks; a promise to immerse them in the realities and responsibilities of caring for communities; and a promise to help shape a new generation of doctors who lead with skill, empathy, and integrity.
In my role as Indiana County Coroner, I have the profound responsibility of helping families find answers during some of the most difficult and emotional moments of their lives. Our office approaches every case with respect, accuracy, and compassion. Each life we encounter tells a story—one that deserves to be understood fully and honored.
I believe wholeheartedly that early exposure to the work we do is invaluable to developing physicians. Understanding medicolegal death investigation not only deepens their medical knowledge—it deepens their humanity. It helps future doctors appreciate the importance of prevention, intervention, communication, and compassion.
By inviting IUP’s future osteopathic physicians into our office, we are giving them a unique vantage point. They will witness how medical science intersects with public service, with law, and with the realities faced by families in crisis. These experiences will stay with them long after their training ends and will shape the way they approach their future patients and communities.
We are equally proud of what this partnership means for Indiana County. The proposed IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine represents an extraordinary opportunity for our region. To have a medical college rising here—a school dedicated to holistic, community-oriented healthcare—is something worthy of genuine celebration. It brings energy, innovation, and renewed purpose to our area.
This collaboration reflects the values we share: integrity, service, education, and commitment to every life in our care.
I am grateful for IUP’s vision and leadership, and deeply proud of the hardworking team within my office whose dedication makes a partnership like this both possible and meaningful. Their compassion, professionalism, and willingness to mentor future clinicians exemplify the best of public service.
With these signatures, we begin a new chapter—one filled with promise, purpose, and pride for Indiana County and for IUP. Today’s celebration represents not just what we are doing, but who we are: partners dedicated to improving lives, strengthening communities, and guiding the next generation of physicians.
To everyone who joined us today, thank you for being part of this moment. Your presence signals your belief in this partnership and your support for the future students who will walk through our doors with curiosity, compassion, and commitment.