HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in United States and Canada, has removed probationary status for the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, University President Stephen J. Kopp announced today.

“This milestone has not been easily achieved and has involved a systemic culture change within the medical school,” Kopp said. “Dean Joseph Shapiro addressed the issues with precision and tenacity and has created a vision for an even better medical school.  I sincerely thank our faculty, staff, students, Governor Tomblin, Senator Plymale, our legislators and everyone involved throughout the Medical School and our Marshall University community for their incredible hard work.”

A LCME site team visited the school in June for a limited survey with administrators, faculty and students and then reported its findings to the entire LCME Board of Directors.   The Board voted to lift the probation at its meeting this past week and Dean Shapiro was notified during a telephone call Friday morning.

“We will have more details when we receive the formal letter from the LCME, but I did not want to wait to share this fantastic news with our friends and the folks who have worked so diligently to make this happen,” Shapiro said.  “With our accreditation status now solid, we can move forward. I want to thank everyone for their incredible efforts and am encouraged that our future is bright.”

Shapiro emphasized that the review process gathered information from all constituencies.   

“We’ve worked to create a culture of innovation and creativity in response to the LCME’s review,” he said. “Our students, residents, faculty and staff have been encouraged to provide input and their ideas have helped us shape what we think is an excellent model for medical education.”

Kopp commended the Board of Governors for its support of the university’s plan to address the LCME concerns. He extended special thanks to Dr. Robert Nerhood, who served a crucial leadership role as interim dean of the School of Medicine, laying the foundation for Dr. Shapiro and the resultant success.

He said Marshall and the medical school will remain vigilant and continue to set the bar for improvement higher. “Accreditation compliance work is ongoing and an incumbent responsibility of all concerned.”

The School of Medicine was placed on probation in June 2011 after the LCME cited nine standards in noncompliance, one standard in compliance with a need for monitoring and three standards in transition.  The entire time the school remained fully accredited.

Date Posted: Monday, October 7, 2013