CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2024 – Today, The Chicago School announced three academic deans joining its proposed Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM), which aims to help expand the health care workforce in Illinois. Once fully operational, the proposed IllinoisCOM will seek to educate an estimated 680 students annually, with 170 students graduating each year. The proposed IllinoisCOM at The Chicago School has been granted Candidate Status from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
The deans of the proposed college include John Lucas, DO, founding dean and chief academic officer; Monica Kinde, Ph.D., senior associate dean of pre-clinical affairs; and Christopher A. Reeder, DO, senior associate dean for clinical affairs.
“As the U.S. faces a growing physician shortage, The Chicago School is dedicated to bridging the gap between mental and physical healthcare. At the proposed Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine, we’ll prepare future osteopathic physicians to deliver comprehensive, integrated care in communities nationwide,” said The Chicago School President Michele Nealon, Psy.D. “The leadership of Dr. Lucas, Dr. Kinde, and Dr. Reeder will be instrumental in driving our mission forward, building a foundation that will enrich the lives of our students and the communities they will care for in the future.”
Dr. Lucas, who joined The Chicago School in February 2023, brings a wealth of experience in medical education and strategic program development. With over 20 years of leadership in osteopathic education and clinical practice, he leads faculty and curriculum development essential to operationalizing the proposed college as it pursues its mission to fill a critical need in providing care to underserved communities across the country.
Dr. Kinde, a leader in osteopathic medical education for almost a decade, is responsible for overseeing the development, delivery, assessment, and evaluation of the pre-clinical curriculum for the proposed college.
With an extensive background in biomedical sciences and osteopathic medical educational strategy, she will ensure the curriculum at the proposed IllinoisCOM integrates mental health education and best practices in osteopathic medical training. Dr. Kinde joined The Chicago School in July 2023.
In his role, Dr. Reeder will develop a variety of clinical affiliations in and around Chicago that will provide hands-on training and opportunities essential to the success of future students. Dr. Reeder, who joined The Chicago School in July 2023, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in medical education and clinical development.
Building on its commitment to advance the connection between mental and physical health, The Chicago School’s proposed IllinoisCOM will integrate mental health education throughout its curriculum and training, supporting comprehensive wellness for both patients and future physicians. The college’s innovative approach will also incorporate artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to improve training for the next generation of doctors, providing them with significant hands-on experience before they interact with patients.
“The proposed Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine at The Chicago School is the embodiment of The Community Solution’s mission to develop programs that impact areas of critical need in our society,” said Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System Michael Horowitz, Ph.D. “By leveraging our collective knowledge and strengths, we are building a new, premier program to address critical health care needs across the country. We’re pleased that these three highly qualified individuals will play a vital role in advancing the development of the proposed IllinoisCOM.”
The Chicago School is a proud member of The Community Solution, the nation’s only fully integrated private, nonprofit higher education system. Since joining The Community Solution in 2009, The Chicago School has experienced significant advancement in academic offerings, enrollment growth, and opportunities for international programming.
For more information on The Chicago School and proposed IllinoisCOM, visit illinoiscom.thechicagoschool.edu.
About The Chicago School
For 45 years, The Chicago School has been a leading nonprofit university dedicated to training professionals for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities. By combining education, innovation, community, and impact, The Chicago School approach provides students a practical and solutions-oriented education in an array of academic programs across psychology, health, business, counseling, and behavioral sciences. With more than 6,000 students and locations in Chicago, Dallas, Southern California, and Washington, D.C., the university’s extensive network of community partnerships provides applicable training and networking opportunities.
The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. The Chicago School is a proud member of The Community Solution, the nation’s only fully integrated private, nonprofit higher education system.
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