Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech and Carilion Health Systems have recently been discussing a possible collaboration to yield a new medical school in Virginia, to be located in Roanoke. The new medical school would most likely be located in Carilion’s Riverside Center, a business park owned by Carilion and the City of Roanoke.

These discussions came about in June when Carilion announced that it was going to become a clinic model. A medical school coincides with the clinic model so well that there was obviously a pre-conceived thought regarding a medical school to come. This new medical school could enhance a clinic, which places more of an emphasis on educational and research components.
Eric Earnhart, a spokesman for Carilion Health System, declined to comment on the possibility of a new medical school between Carilion and Tech.

One group of doctors is opposing the new idea. The Coalition of Responsible Healthcare has questioned if there is even a need for this medical center, considering there is the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, already existing in the Commonwealth.

Although discussions may have begun as long as six months ago, they are still just in the starting stages. The idea would have to pass with the State Council of Higher Education, who would conduct a study to see if the idea has any support in Virginia, and later with the Virginia General Assembly before it could have any real foundation.

Other factors that have to be taken into consideration before this plan gets off the ground are the costs to both Carilion and Tech, as well as the City of Roanoke.