(PROPOSED, APPLICANT SEEKING ACCREDITATION) John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine

Establishing the first new medical school in Iowa in over 125 years.

The University of Dubuque is establishing the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed, applicant seeking accreditation) to address the regional shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas.

UD's Mission of excellence in academic inquiry, professional preparation, and formation of the whole person, along with serving people and communities, is a natural fit with the osteopathic philosophy which emphasizes the unity of body, mind, and spirit in individuals.

UD officials are working through the steps of accreditation with the goal of welcoming our first class in 2028.

"We believe that the proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine will have a significant impact in addressing the shortage of primary care physicians in Iowa and the region, and that it will make a considerable impact in serving health care needs in rural communities." - Travis Frampton, PhD, president of the University of Dubuque

Fast Facts

• The transformational announcement that UD was moving forward with the required approvals and programmatic accreditation process to open a four-year medical school was shared during a special event on Friday, December 13, 2024. Watch the announcement here.
• The John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed, applicant seeking accreditation) is named after the Butler family in recognition of a $60 million gift from John (DHL'17) and Alice (DHL'17) Butler - one of the largest donations UD has ever received.
• Once accredited, it will be the first new medical school in Iowa in over 125 years.
• The proposed college will be located off campus at 500 Main Street in the heart of downtown Dubuque. Renovations on the three-story, 117,000-square-foot brick building are underway with an anticipated completion date of December 2026.
• On May 20, 2025, it was announced that Jeanne Rupert, DO, PhD, was selected as the founding dean and chief academic officer for the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed, applicant seeking accreditation). Rupert has over two decades of experience in academic leadership, clinical care, and public health.
• A Welcome Reception for Rupert was held July 10, 2025, on campus.
• The John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed, applicant seeking accreditation) will complement and expand UD's commitment to the medical field as the university already offers strong academic healthcare programs, a master of science in physician assistant studies and a bachelor of science in nursing.
• UD is pursuing the necessary accreditation through the American Osteopathic Association - Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and is on track to open its doors summer 2028. The inaugural class is expected to be around 90 students with a full capacity of 720 over the next decade.
• The John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed, applicant seeking accreditation) is anticipated to support over 120 faculty and staff.
• The estimated economic impact of the proposed college will be over $1 billion to Iowa's economy over the next 20 years, based on similar new medical school projects in the U.S.
• Questions? Contact do@dbq.edu.