Ross University moves to Tennessee while Dominica rebuilds

Last updated: November 10, 2017 at 01:18 am

More than 1,400 students and staff from Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) will relocate temporarily to Knoxville, Tennessee, following the damage brought by Hurricane Maria. Students are currently completing their autumn term medical sciences curriculum on a cruise ship ported off the island of St Kitts.

The plan is to begin their winter semester at the new facilities.

RUSM plans to relocate to facilities owned by Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).

LMU, based in Harrogate and with operations in Knoxville, will provide the necessary operational capacity and the technical capabilities to support RUSM students and staff.

“While the island of Dominica continues to rebuild, we are pleased to have forged this arrangement with an outstanding university like LMU,” said William F Owen, dean and chancellor of RUSM.

“The continuity of our students’ education and their academic programming is our highest priority, and we are pleased to work with LMU to make these extraordinary facilities available.”

‘Synergy’ in the decision

RUSM says it plans to continue to use its own medical sciences curriculum and faculty while making use of the LMU teaching and office facilities, including an anatomy lab.

Efforts are underway by RUSM and Adtalem Global Education to acquire all necessary regulatory approvals and finalise other details.

“Lincoln Memorial University is proud to be able to assist Ross University School of Medicine under these extreme circumstances,” said Autry OV DeBusk, chairman of LMU.

“As an institution with a strong commitment to combating health care shortages in Appalachia and beyond, there is a synergy in providing the students and faculty of RUSM a home away from home while they rebuild from this fall’s devastating hurricanes.