RowanSOM receives highest level COCA accreditation

At its December meeting, the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on College Accreditation (COCA) announced that it had awarded the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM) with “Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome,” the highest level of accreditation awarded by COCA.

“The review by COCA culminated a year-long process that included our comprehensive self study and countless hours of hard work by our steering committee members, leadership from our Academic Affairs department, and by our department chairs, faculty and students,” said RowanSOM Dean Dr. Thomas Cavalieri. “I could not be more grateful for the work, dedication and commitment of all these individuals who gave their time so selflessly to help us to achieve this remarkable evaluation of our medical education.”

Jacqueline Giacobbe, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Accreditation, led the team effort that coordinated responses to COCA inquiries and prepared documentation in support of case for accreditation. She noted there is added significance to achieving this level of accreditation because it also covers RowanSOM’s newly established second campus in Sewell.

“We were in the unusual position of seeking simultaneous accreditation for a medical school that accepted its first students 44 years ago along with an additional location that will enroll its first students in July 2022,” Giacobbe said. “I want to share my congratulations and thanks to everyone on our team and throughout our entire community who made this possible.”

COCA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accreditor of colleges of osteopathic medicine. COCA accreditation signifies that a college has met or exceeded the Commission's standards for educational quality.

“Everyone associated with RowanSOM should be proud of this accomplishment,” Dr. Cavalieri said. “With this recognition by COCA, we will continue to move forward in our mission of training clinically skillful, compassionate, and culturally competent physicians of diverse backgrounds who will become leaders in their communities.”