Pocatello Chamber hosts new medical school dean

Idaho is one of only five states that doesn’t have it’s own medical school. But Dr. Robert Hasty is hoping to change that.

He’s the founding dean for the new Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, or ICOM.

Pocatello’s Chamber of Commerce sponsored the breakfast as a way for community members to ask questions about the new medical school.

Hasty said the economic impact for the state will be about 245 new jobs and $54 million per year, once the school is up and running. Hasty said it’s also great for Idaho because those who to go medical school in Idaho are likely to do their residency here too. That can help with the shortage of osteopathic doctors the state is seeing right now.

“I’m incredibly excited,” Hasty said. “The proposed ICOM is going to be a medical school that everyone is incredibly proud of. This is going to be a high-quality school that’s going to focus on meeting the needs of not only Idaho but the entire region.”

Right now, the estimated completion for the school is 2018.