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King College president says medical school will be in Southwest Virginia

Published November 2nd, 2009 | 0 Comments

KINGSPORT — King College is planning to locate its proposed $150 million medical school somewhere in Southwest Virginia, with clinical sites being located in Kingsport and Bristol, Tenn., college President Greg Jordan said Monday.

Last November, King College announced plans to create a new two-campus, research-based medical school near the medical facilities of Kingsport and Bristol by 2012. The new school plans to have two aspects — medical education and research — and include the university’s nursing programs.

Earlier this year, Jordan pitched the idea to the elected officials of Kingsport, Bristol and Sullivan County, saying he hoped to secure $50 million in funding from the three governments for the project, along with $50 million from the state of Tennessee and $50 million in private donations. Jordan had said one campus (for research) could be located in either Kingsport or Bristol and the other campus (for education) would be located in the other.

On Monday, Jordan said the two campuses would now be education/research and clinicals, with the education/research-based campus located in Southwest Virginia (near Bristol Regional Medical Center) rather than East Tennessee. Jordan came before the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday at the request of Mayor Dennis Phillips and gave an update on the project.

And the reason for locating in Virginia? A $25 million grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, announced by King last week.

“The grant ... did indeed determine the location,” Jordan said. “From the beginning we’ve spoke of regional support and multi-state support. It’s the same strategy from the beginning, a two-campus model — lecture based and clinical opportunities. It just turns out the medical education/research (campus) will occur in Virginia rather than Tennessee.”

What Kingsport and Bristol could receive from the project are clinical facilities, located near Wellmont Health System and Holston Medical Group facilities, which reflect the level of funding, Jordan said.

The first two years of education would take place at the Virginia-based medical school, with third- and fourth-year rotations and residency taking place in Kingsport and Bristol.

“There will be plenty of significant benefit to the Sullivan County area,” Jordan said. “I think Kingsport will be a very significant player and a key stakeholder.”

The $25 million grant from the Tobacco Commission is a matching grant and will require another $25 million, Jordan said, noting he is encouraged by the response from the public and private sector in Virginia. Jordan did say having the campus in Virginia would adjust the level of giving from Tennessee.

King College has made no formal request for funding from the state of Tennessee, but officials have talked to Gov. Phil Bredesen about the project.

Jordan said a formal request is forthcoming.

“We’re in the process of identifying funding resources, cultivating those and then security commitments,” Jordan said, adding King plans to work with officials from Bristol, Kingsport and Sullivan County to develop a funding proposal for their consideration.

Alderman Ken Marsh said the project is the best economic development project to come down the road in the region in the past 20 years.

“We need to give it every thoughtful consideration,” Marsh said.

Wellmont and HMG have agreed to be King’s clinical partner in the endeavor. Jordan said there are an adequate number of residency slots in the region — a concern East Tennessee State University officials raised earlier this year. Jordan said the current health reform bill working its way through Congress discusses increasing the number of residency slots by 15,000 nationwide.

College officials confirmed they hope to have the first class begin in 2012 but admit the start date is contingent upon the “gifting process.”

“We’re very much excited about the current status of the project, and it seems to be developing quite nicely,” Jordan said.

The $150 million price tag would see $100 million going toward construction and equipment for the two campuses and $50 million going toward the operation of the university for the first five years.

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