Morehead State University partners with University of Pikeville's Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Morehead State University and the University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine have partnered to create a new early admission pathway that will give Morehead State University students a direct route toward a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The new agreement will reserve five seats in the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Early Admission Program for eligible Morehead State University students. The agreement runs through June 30, 2031.

According to an article on Morehead State University’s website, MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan was quoted as saying of the new agreement, "This partnership creates an exciting opportunity for Morehead State students who aspire to become physicians. By establishing a direct pathway to the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, we are helping talented students pursue their professional goals while supporting the growing need for healthcare providers across Kentucky and the region. We are proud to collaborate with the University of Pikeville in creating new opportunities that help our students succeed and serve their communities.”

For Morehead State University students who meet academic and admissions requirements, there will be five reserved seats per year in the Early Admission Program at the University of Pikeville's Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. Students will complete their undergraduate education at Morehead State University and will then enter into KYCOM to pursue their medical education, provided that students meet requirements like minimum cumulative and science grade point averages, completion of prerequisites, and required MCAT scores.

Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., the president of the University of Pikeville, said, “The University of Pikeville is proud to partner with Morehead State University to create new opportunities for students who are called to careers in medicine. As a nationally recognized leader in educating physicians who choose to practice in rural and underserved communities, KYCOM is uniquely positioned to help meet Kentucky's growing healthcare needs. We look forward to welcoming these talented students and supporting them as they prepare to make a meaningful difference in the communities they will one day serve.”

Echoing these sentiments, UPIKE’s Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of KYCOM Joe Kingery, D.O., said, “At KYCOM, our mission has always been to prepare compassionate, highly skilled physicians for rural and underserved communities. This partnership with MSU strengthens that mission by creating a clear pathway for exceptional students who are committed to serving others. We are excited to work alongside Morehead State to mentor these future physicians from the beginning of their journey through medical school and beyond.”

The agreement reflects the desire of both institutions to create more opportunities for students to pursue medical education and careers, and to remove barriers to education. 

Dr. Charles Lydeard, the chair of the MSU Department of Biology & Chemistry, said, “I'm really excited for the opportunity this agreement, which was facilitated by Northeast AHEC, provides to the Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Chemistry students in my department, who will be the bulk of applicants to the KYCOM program.”

For more information about Morehead State University, visit the school’s website.

For more information about the University of Pikeville, visit the school’s website.