The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and the surrounding Greeley community marked a new chapter in UNC's commitment to advancing medical education and community health on Saturday, Sept. 28, with the groundbreaking of a new facility that will host the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNC COM).

"As everyone knows, Colorado is facing a dire physician shortage. And I am proud that UNC has stepped up to be part of the solution. Helping to meet a critical need for our community and the state has driven our efforts to establish UNC’s College of Osteopathic Medicine – UNC COM," President Andy Feinstein said.

The new building will be located at the site of Bishop-Lehr Hall, which is slated for demolition between now and the end of the year. It is expected to be complete in the summer of 2026, with the first class to begin as early as that fall. Once fully operational, UNC COM will enroll 600 future doctors and is expected to boost Colorado's economy by 1.4 billion dollars over the next 20 years, with nearly half a billion dollars staying in Weld County.

UNC COM is an example of how the university is furthering its legacy as a teacher’s college. As Dr. Beth Longenecker, the college’s founding dean, pointed out in her remarks at the groundbreaking, the Latin root for doctor is “docere”, meaning “to teach". Doctors, and specifically osteopathic medical doctors, fill a vital role in communities educating and healingtheir patients through a holistic approach to their health. Through the establishment of a medical college, UNC is preparing more quality doctors who will care for thecommunity and counteract the physician shortage facing the state. 

Related: Colorado lawmakers give final approval to fund UNC's proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine

Relive the historical event: