Loma Linda University School of Medicine Expands to Ohio with Kettering Health Partnership
Loma Linda University School of Medicine has expanded its clinical training network with a new regional campus partnership with Kettering Health in Ohio. The collaboration, formally recognized by the state of Ohio in , aims to bolster physician training opportunities and address the evolving needs of healthcare systems.
Under the agreement, students from Loma Linda University School of Medicine will have the option to complete their third- and fourth-year clinical rotations at various Kettering Health facilities. These rotations will provide hands-on experience across a broad range of patient care settings and communities. Importantly, students participating in the program will continue to follow Loma Linda’s established core curriculum, ensuring consistency in medical education standards and will be supervised by faculty physicians from Kettering Health.
This partnership reflects a broader trend within medical education, where academic institutions are increasingly collaborating with health systems to expand clinical training infrastructure. Such collaborations are driven, in part, by a desire to increase the pipeline of qualified physicians, particularly as healthcare demands continue to grow and evolve. Loma Linda University already operates a similar regional campus at AdventHealth Orlando in Altamonte Springs, Florida, demonstrating a commitment to this model of distributed medical education.
The expansion of clinical training sites is particularly significant in light of recent curriculum changes at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. In , the school launched its Discovery Curriculum, a program developed over three years with input from multiple faculty educators and informed by a review of best practices from other medical schools. This new curriculum emphasizes the development of “master adaptive learners” – physicians equipped not only to handle routine medical cases but also to innovate and adapt in the face of new and complex health challenges.
The Discovery Curriculum is built on several key goals. A primary focus is increased learning integration, both within individual subjects and across all four years of medical school. The curriculum also prioritizes areas aligned with the university’s mission, including service, lifestyle medicine, and a “whole person care” approach to patient treatment. The curriculum aims to foster a sense of community among students and promote their overall well-being, while also providing opportunities for students to pursue their specific interests within the medical field.
The concept of the “master adaptive learner” is central to the curriculum’s design. As described by Schumacher et al. In Academic Medicine in , and further elaborated in an American Medical Association MedEd Innovation Series in , these learners are characterized by curiosity, a growth mindset, self-motivation, and resilience. These qualities are considered essential for navigating the rapidly changing landscape of modern healthcare, where new diseases and healthcare systems are constantly emerging.
The partnership with Kettering Health is expected to enhance the practical application of the Discovery Curriculum’s principles. By providing students with diverse clinical experiences in a community health setting, the collaboration will allow them to develop the adaptability and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic healthcare environment. The expansion of clinical education across a broader range of settings will also allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and the importance of delivering whole person care.
Kettering Health’s participation in this partnership underscores its commitment to medical education and its role in shaping the future of healthcare. The health system will provide Loma Linda University students with access to its facilities, faculty, and patient population, contributing to a robust and comprehensive clinical learning experience. The collaboration also reinforces a shared commitment to whole person care, a philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
This regional campus expansion is part of a larger effort by Loma Linda University to broaden its reach and impact on medical education. By establishing partnerships with leading health systems like Kettering Health, the university aims to train a new generation of physicians who are well-prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and deliver compassionate, high-quality care to patients in diverse communities.