Midwestern University (MWU) is a private graduate school with campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois and Glendale, Arizona. As of the 2022–23 academic year, a total of 2,758 students were enrolled at the Downers Grove campus and 3,782 were enrolled at the Glendale campus.
Founded in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine is the fourth-oldest medical school currently active in Illinois. Over the years, the university expanded, adding additional degrees and programs; in 1993, the school united these programs under the name Midwestern University. In 1995, the school opened a campus in Glendale, Arizona, becoming the second and largest medical school to teach students in the state. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the medical schools are also accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
History
left|thumb|Downers Grove, Illinois Campus
The university was founded in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery by Dr. John Martin Littlejohn and his brothers. The school was the fourth medical school in the world to grant the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. In 1913, the school changed its name to the Chicago College of Osteopathy, eventually becoming the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. The College of Health Sciences began in 1992. In 2009, the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois opened, followed by the Chicago College of Optometry in 2014 The college joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine as one of only two medical schools in Arizona at the time, and it remained the only osteopathic medical school in the state until AT Still University opened in Mesa in 2007. In 1997, a physician assistant program was established at the Glendale campus, followed by the College of Pharmacy the next year. In 2006, the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona opened, then the Arizona College of Optometry opened in 2008, and the College of Veterinary Medicine opened in 2012.thumb|Downers Grove, Illinois Campusthumb|Glendale, Arizona Campus
In 2010, the university received a Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency for restoring 9 acres of wetland and oak-hickory woods on the Downers Grove campus. In 2012, the Downers Grove Multispecialty Clinic opened in a five-story, 193,000 square foot building. with a 109,000-square-foot veterinary teaching hospital, a 36,000-square-foot large animal teaching facility, and a 76,000-square-foot classroom building. The school was the first veterinary medical school in the state of Arizona, and was the 29th veterinary medical school in the United States.
Academics and accreditation
Midwestern University offers multiple academic programs at two campus locations. All programs are graduate-level and focus on the health professions. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The university also offers the following degrees: COVID-19, pharmacology, physiology, and anatomy. As of the 2020–2021 academic year, the university held $1,603,231 in active externally funded research awards. Sources of funding for research include: National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Health Resources & Services Administration, American Heart Association, American Optometric Foundation, HonorHealth, Leakey Foundation, Marfan Foundation, PhRMA Foundation, PetSmart Charities, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, National Assoc. of Chain Drug Stores, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America Foundation, etc.
Campuses
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable"
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!Campus !! College !! Founded !! Accreditation
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| rowspan="7" style="background:#ccbcff; text-align:center;" |Chicago
|Midwestern University|| 1900 || The Higher Learning Commission
|-
|Dental Medicine || 2006 || American Dental Association
|-
|Health Sciences || 1996 || American Physical Therapy Association<br /> ARC-PA<br />American Occupational Therapy Association<br />American Psychological Association<br />American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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|Osteopathic Medicine || 1900 || American Osteopathic Association's COCA
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|Pharmacy || 1991 || Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
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|Graduate Studies
|2018
|The Higher Learning Commission<br />Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia
|-
|Optometry || 2008 || American Optometric Association
|-
|Veterinary Medicine || 2012 || American Veterinary Medical Association
|-
|Graduate Studies
|2018
|The Higher Learning Commission
|}
thumb|Downers Grove, Illinois Campus
Downers Grove, Illinois
The Downers Grove campus is located on a site in Downers Grove, Illinois, a suburban area 25 miles west of downtown Chicago.
thumb|Glendale, Arizona Campus
Glendale, Arizona
thumb|Glendale, Arizona Campus
The Glendale campus is located on a site in Glendale, Arizona, a suburban area 15 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. Facilities on the campus include many buildings with teaching, research, and administrative functions. There is also an Interfaith Chapel.
Patient care
Midwestern University operates several clinics on both its Downers Grove and Glendale campuses. The Downers Grove Multispecialty Clinic opened in 2012 and includes medical, dental, speech-language, physical therapy, and optometry services. Through five community clinics located on the Glendale campus, the university provides medical, dental, podiatry, optometry, mental health, physical and occupational therapy, and veterinary services. The Companion Animal Clinic is part of the larger Animal Health Institute, which also includes a Large Animal Clinic and a Diagnostic Pathology Center.
Students
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|+ Midwestern University Student Demographics Additional clubs and organizations on campus include:
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- American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
- American Medical Association
- American Medical Women's Association
- American Pharmacists Association
- American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
- American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
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- Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
- Christian Medical and Dental Associations
- DOCARE
- Jewish Student Union
- Latter Day Saint Student Association
- Muslim Students' Association
- Primary Care Progress
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Alumni
More than 25,000 alumni have graduated from Midwestern University.
Notable People
- Clinton E. Adams – President and CEO of Rocky Vista University
- Ivan Edwards – pastor and Flight surgeon
- Victor Lindlahr – radio presenter and health food writer
- Joseph Mercola – Internet businessman
- Rudy Moise – lawyer and politician
- Douglas J. Robb – US Air Force lieutenant general
- Richard Scheuring – NASA flight surgeon
- Emily Temple-Wood – 2016 Wikimedian of the Year
- James N. Weinstein – Microsoft executive
- Sheil Shukla - Author of Plant-Based India
- George Klopfer - Physician and abortion provider
- Walter Prozialeck - Former Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at CCOM
See also
- List of dental schools in the United States
- List of medical schools in the United States
- List of optometry schools
- List of pharmacy schools in the United States
- List of osteopathic colleges
- Osteopathic medicine in the United States