Schaumburg, IL – September 1, 2026 – NCOM is proud to share that it has been awarded pre-accreditation status from the COCA signifying a major milestone for the new non-profit college of osteopathic medicine based in Schaumburg, Illinois. This important achievement brings NCOM another step closer to its mission of launching future generations of proud and passionate osteopathic physicians leading to lasting and meaningful long-term impact within the communities they will serve.
The COCA’s awarding of pre-accreditation status allows NCOM to actively plan for an inaugural class of approximately 60 students starting in August 2027 at NCOM’s 135,000 sq. ft. building on the 6-acre campus in Schaumburg. The planned inaugural class of 2031 would graduate embodying NCOM’s vision of inspiring tomorrow’s community of compassionate, structurally competent, and care-centered osteopathic physicians dedicated to serving patients and communities across society. Beyond the impact these students will have in osteopathic medicine, they and the significant new faculty and staff hires will positively impact the local and regional economies of both Schaumburg and the greater Chicagoland area.
With a rapidly aging population, increased life expectancy, and a significant number of currently active physicians retiring, the need for the next generation of osteopathic physicians has never been greater. At current estimates, and according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, a doctor shortage of between 86,000 and 141,160 will be upon us by the mid-2030s. To that end, every member of the NCOMmUNITY™ will be dedicated to the unique mission of advancing community-centered academic medicine through:
- Graduating physicians who take pride in the osteopathic profession and deliver compassion, understanding, and high-quality whole-person healthcare to patients and communities across our society.
- Developing world-class osteopathic physicians that deliver the best of traditional and modern osteopathic medicine with a strong sense of fundamental humanitarian values and high standards of integrity and professionalism.
- Identifying and igniting pioneering research enhancing osteopathic medicine and beyond.
“The overall strain on the US healthcare system coupled with the expanding care and needs of the US population makes the establishment of NCOM incredibly timely,” said Founding Dean, Chief Academic Officer, and Professor of Emergency Medicine, Dr. K. Scott Whitlow, DO, CS, FAAEM. “Local and regional communities have been hit the hardest and we very much look forward to graduating exceptional osteopathic physicians ready to tackle those needs.”
Key departments spearheading the current and future curricula include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The Department of Foundational Sciences
- The Department of Clinical Sciences
- The Section of Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP)
- Office of Academic Affairs
- Office of Clinical Affairs
- Educational and Clinical Skills Laboratories
- Library and Learning
- Digital Anatomy/Imaging
- Culinary Medicine/Nutrition
- Simulation
- Clinical Reasoning
- Ultrasound
- Technology
- OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)
- OPP (Osteopathic Principles and Practice)
- IPE (Interprofessional Education)
- CME/Lifelong Learning (Continuing Medical Education)
- …and much more
“The accreditation process was a thorough one bringing together the best of the best at NCOM,” said President/CEO Dr. M.T. AliNiazee, PhD. “Awarding NCOM pre-accreditation status showcases that NCOM’s exceptional team has met the high standards for educational quality, facilities, and student outcomes set forth by the COCA.”
For more information about NCOM, please visit www.NCOMChicago.org (links to social channels also available there).
State/IBHE Authorization
NCOM is in the process of obtaining operating authority and degree-granting authority from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The college cannot officially finalize student enrollment or confer degrees until such IBHE approval is granted.
Media contact: Martin C. Pearce, Press@NCOMChicago.org, 425-260-4101.