Staff Writer

The economic impact of the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to grow from $13 million this year to $114 million in 2011.

Dr. Gerald Doeksen of the National Center for Rural Health Works at Oklahoma State University presented study findings at DCOM on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. Staff members, business leaders, and other interested people heard Doeksen's overview.

Lincoln Memorial University President Dr. Nancy Moody opened the session by presenting a brief summary of the origins of LMU and of osteopathic medicine. Dr. O.V. "Pete" DeBusk commented that this region has had some very good physicians, but that there were never enough of the. He desires that local students train at DCOM and then remain in the area. DeBusk also commented that within the next 18 months, layouts will be made for even more construction on the campus of LMU. Without doing into details, he expressed an interest in the fields of law and engineering. Dr. Ray Stowers, Dean of DCOM, echoed the desire to keep more doctors in this region.

Dr. Doeksen opened his comments by explaining that 93 of Tennessee's 95 counties currently face shortages in medical care. He said that businesses look at two primary areas when considering a new location, education and health care. With a level 5 university and a medical school in Claiborne County, he expects real business growth.

This year DCOM provided 142 direct jobs in operations, construction, student spending and visitor spending. Each employed person, as they spend their income, creates a multiplier resulting in more jobs being created. The multiplier effect means that DCOM was actually responsible for 240 jobs in the area. The multiplier is applied to money as well as jobs. The current income generated by LMU-DCOM in the tri-state area this fiscal year was less than $8 million. However the actual impact to the area amounts to about $13.3 million.

When the first DCOM class graduates in 2011, the statewide economic impact is projected at more than $114 million. Doeksen expects that class to create 1,757 total jobs in rural Tennessee with over $50 million in income. His figures project 17 direct impact jobs for each graduate. With the multiplier effect that becomes 35 jobs statewide.

Speaking to The Progress, Dr. Doeksen said he was very impressed with the facilities at the new medical school.

"They did it right," he said, "It's first class all the way."

He said the figures presented in the study have been compared with medical schools throughout the country, with particular emphasis on rural areas. According to Doeksen, northeast Tennessee can look forward to an improved economic situation, and DCOM will be a major contributor to that improvement.

Ed Baldwin is a staff writer for the Claiborne Progress. He can be reached via e-mail at ebaldwin@claiborneprogress.net.