Simpson University Medical School Proposal
Building a Long-Term Physician Workforce Pipeline for the North State
Across the North State, access to healthcare remains one of the region’s most urgent long-term challenges. Many communities face physician shortages, long wait times, limited access to specialty care, and a growing need for sustainable healthcare workforce solutions.
In response to conversations with local city and county leaders, Simpson University has been exploring the development of a proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine designed to help address the region’s physician shortage through local training, clinical partnerships, and sustained workforce development.
This effort is not simply about building a medical school. It is about helping create a stronger healthcare future for Shasta County and the North State.
Review the Full Proposal
The complete plan outlines the regional need, proposed academic model, accreditation pathway, financial structure, clinical training strategy, partnership with SALUD Education, and long term impact for the North State.
The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine remains subject to accreditation approvals, financing, clinical partnership development, and governing board authorization.
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a distinct approach to medical education and practice that prepares physicians (D.O.s) to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than focusing only on symptoms or disease. In addition to receiving the same rigorous scientific and clinical training as M.D. physicians, osteopathic students are trained in osteopathic principles that emphasize preventive care, strong patient relationships, and an understanding of how lifestyle and environment impact health. This includes hands-on training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a set of techniques used to diagnose, treat, and support the body’s natural ability to heal. Together, this approach equips osteopathic physicians to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care across all areas of medicine.
Why This Matters
The North State has relied heavily on recruiting physicians from outside the region. While those physicians serve our communities well, recruitment alone is not a long term solution.
Research consistently shows that healthcare professionals are more likely to stay and serve in the communities where they train. That is why Simpson University is exploring a model focused on local training, regional clinical partnerships, and expanded residency opportunities.
A Regional Healthcare Solution
The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine would be designed around a distributed clinical training model, anchored in Redding and extended across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers throughout the North State.
The goal is to train future physicians in the communities where they are most needed, helping build long term relationships between students, healthcare providers, and the region.
Why Simpson University
Simpson University has long been the North State’s hometown university. Our faculty, staff, students, and alumni live here, serve here, and understand the needs of this region.
Simpson’s nursing program has already made a meaningful impact across the North State by preparing graduates who serve in local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems. A proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine would build on that foundation and extend Simpson’s mission of preparing students for lives of service and leadership.
Transferability and Accountability
A project of this scale deserves thoughtful review, public transparency, and clear accountability.
The proposal includes phased benchmarks, accreditation milestones, operational readiness standards, financial planning, and measurable outcomes. Any public investment should be tied to responsible stewardship and long term benefit for the region.
Why This Plan Is Different
This proposal is being approached as a disciplined, milestone driven process built around accreditation standards, operational planning, financial modeling, clinical partnerships, and long term sustainability.
Simpson University has entered into a strategic alliance with Medical Impact Company, doing business as SALUD Education, to help guide the development and launch of the proposed medical school. SALUD Education provides consulting support related to medical school planning, development strategy, clinical education systems, and operational preparation
Simpson knows the North State. SALUD knows how to build medical schools. Together, this partnership strengthens the credibility and feasibility of the plan.
