The inaugural class of 26 medical students began their orientation at the new Medical College of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus today. The classrooms and administrative space for MCW-Green Bay are located in the new Gehl-Mulva Science Center at St. Norbert College.
MCW began designing regional campuses after a study released by the Wisconsin Hospital Association in November 2011 highlighted the need for more primary care physicians in Wisconsin. MCW-Green Bay is the first of two regional campuses to open; MCW-Central Wisconsin is scheduled to welcome its first class of students in July 2016.
The curriculum for MCW-Green Bay is three years rather than the traditional four years, so students are beginning their academic year earlier than their Milwaukee counterparts. Also different is the immersive, collaborative model that has been developed in Green Bay.
“Our regional campus program is created on a partnership model engaging local health care systems, colleges and universities, technical colleges, government and the local business communities,” said Dr. Matthew Hunsaker, campus dean of MCW-Green Bay. “It’s a model that has garnered a lot of enthusiasm and interest; in fact, we had more than 2,000 prospective students apply for those 26 spots.”
Facts about the first class:
• 15 men and 11 women
• 23 from Wisconsin
• Two from Illinois; one from Indiana
• 18 undergraduate institutions represented, including eight in Wisconsin
• Clinical skills training will be provided at Bellin College and clinical partners (Bellin Health, Hospital Sisters Health System Eastern Division, Prevea Health, and the Milo C. Huempfner VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic).
• Faculty from St. Norbert College and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will be teaching alongside faculty from MCW-Milwaukee in the students’ first year of classes.
