MERIDIAN — Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Robert T. Hasty, will leave Idaho’s first medical school to help lead the creation of a new osteopathic medical school, which will soon be announced.
Dr. Hasty was instrumental in the creation of ICOM, a private, for-profit medical school on the campus of Idaho State University’s Health Science Center in Meridian.
ICOM’s strong inaugural class, coupled with its more than 35 affiliate sites for clinical rotations, and excellent standing with the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, can all be attributed to Hasty’s leadership and guidance, acco0rding to an ICOM news relese.
“My time as Founding Dean of ICOM has been among the best experiences of my career -- and the decision to leave and create a new medical school was made only after deep reflection,” Hasty said. “ICOM has seen great success and is on track to provide highly competent and compassionate physicians for the region, which is desperately needed.”
In 2005, Hasty had what he describes as a “calling” to become an academic physician. Now, more than ten years later, he’s had another one. “I live my life with purpose, and I know I’ve made a difference in the world by creating ICOM,” he said. “Knowing the impact this school will have gives me great pride, and I would like to continue to create and deploy knowledge for the greater good. Helping to establish another osteopathic medical school, gives me another opportunity to do that.”
A leadership transition plan for the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine will be announced in the coming weeks, with Hasty leading the transition of his successor.
