Former president of TCOM alumni association supports osteopathic identity of UNTHSC

The following letter to UNT Chancellor on December 14th, 2008 by Jim Froelich, DO, TCOM class 1981, Former president of TCOM alumni association

The recent departure of Dean Marc Hahn from TCOM has caused great concern among many alumni.  Despite the verbiage describing his departure as a voluntary resignation, you and I know better.   Similarly, Dr. Palmarozzi’s removal seems uncalled for and has created great unrest and anger among her peers.  The leadership that Dr. Hahn and Dr. Palmarozzi have provided has been critical to the college.  They have established then maintained primary care, osteopathic orientation and highest quality education as the heart, soul and core of TCOM.  The loss of these fine physician administrators is regrettable and a major loss to TCOM and the HSC.

These and other events at the Health Science Center have brought to light several troubling questions concerning the leadership and direction of the HSC.  Since Dr. Ransom’s arrival, we have watched an exodus from TCOM of some of the finest osteopathic educators, physicians and researchers in the nation.  Unfortunately their replacements are much less oriented to osteopathic medicine and the bedrock of primary care.  Research and specialty training are displacing primary care as the educational focus and the “new direction” of the institution.  Is that by Dr. Ransom’s design, your design or is this “new direction” the course charted and supported by the UNT Board of Regents? 

We are hearing strong rumblings that, at some level in the leadership hierarchy, there are plans to use the UNT/HSC to offer the M.D. degree to facilitate our “new direction”.  Please honestly assure me and all TCOM graduates that these rumors are not true.  Alumni are appalled by the idea.  As well, many TCOM students have expressed fear and anger that they could wind up with an M.D. degree that they did not seek nor desire.  My great fear is that you or the Board might be enamored by the idea and not realize the terrible harm to the HSC that will result.  Such an action would split resources and funding and would result in diminished quality at your already premier medical school.  Many TCOM alumni are leaders of the osteopathic profession and will fight diligently against such a plan.

Osteopathic philosophy and focus on primary care have always been the unique strengths of our institution.  These have propelled us to the top.  These qualities have built TCOM into one of the premier medical schools in the country and by far the premier osteopathic medical school.  TCOM has garnered support for state funding and expansion because of our unique ability to produce the practicing primary care providers that our state desperately needs.  Other Texas medical schools don’t even come close.

I challenge you, the UNT Board and Dr. Ransom to consider the following.  If we combine the school’s traditional yet unique strengths in primary care and the underpinnings of osteopathic philosophy with the considerable talent, business knowledge, energy and tenacity of Dr. Ransom, we can leverage UNT into the medical care trend setter of the world.  We could shift the paradigm.  That should be our future vision and our "new direction".

The following letter dated on December 21, 2008 by Jim Froelich, DO

In my first letter, sent Thanksgiving weekend, I asked you to “honestly assure me and all TCOM graduates” that rumors concerning granting an M.D. degree from the UNT/HSC were not true.  Much has transpired since then.  I am sorry that I did not hear back from your office but now it is abundantly clear that Dr. Ransom’s goal of offering the M.D. degree at the UNT/HSC is going to move forward despite opposition from alumni and osteopathic leadership.  The so-called “study” is a biased sham that will yield obvious conclusions and no doubt be used to claim that a consensus was formed.  Ultimately, I believe that an informed Texas Legislature will be able to easily see through any prevarications or misrepresentations in the “study’s” design and conclusions. 

Change comes with a price.  The price of offering an M.D. degree from the HSC will be high and will harm TCOM, your flagship.  Is this gambit worth taking that chance?  Why are you willing to risk your premier medical school?  UNT’s resources would be much more wisely spent pursuing a UNT pharmacy school or UNT law school rather than getting bogged down in a battle with its alumni and state legislators over changing existing statute.

Your online “survey” touts “utilization of existing and currently planned infrastructure, faculty and other resources to support a very cost-effective means to expand the supply of physicians”. Our resources are already being used to support and expand our entering classes of D.O. students.  Dr. Hahn repeatedly projected an expansion target of 250 D.O. students per class, but he stated that he did not have the resources yet.   The use of any part of the physical facility or the limited resources of the HSC to educate M.D.s will obviously compete with and detract from TCOM and D.O. students while further taxing the already overworked staff.

I reiterate what I stated in my original letter:  “I challenge you, the UNT Board and Dr. Ransom to consider the following.  If we combine the school’s traditional yet unique strengths in primary care and the underpinnings of osteopathic philosophy with the considerable talent, business knowledge, energy and tenacity of Dr. Ransom, we can leverage UNT into the medical care trend setter of the world.  We could shift the paradigm.  That should be our future vision and our ‘new direction’".

I urge you and the UNT Regents to reconsider,