Jeanne L. Rupert, DO, PhD, Named Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer for the Proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine

DUBUQUE, IA - The University of Dubuque is pleased to announce that, following a national search, Jeanne L. Rupert, DO, PhD, has been selected as the founding dean and chief academic officer for the proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant seeking accreditation) at the University of Dubuque.

"We are thrilled to have Jeanne Rupert join us as we take the next step to pursue programmatic accreditation and necessary approvals to open the first new medical school in Iowa in over 100 years," said Travis Frampton, PhD, president of UD. "She brings the right background, knowledge, and skill to train the next generation of physicians here in the region who will be ready to care for our communities. As a physician educator, who also earned degrees in Spanish, economics, and history, Jeanne and her broad intellectual curiosity will fit right in here and we welcome her into our community."

Rupert brings to UD over two decades of experience in academic leadership, clinical care, and public health. Her work has focused on primary care, rural and underserved populations, and osteopathic medical education.

"What originally drew me to this position was my deep commitment to education and my osteopathic profession and recognizing UD would be a place to do my best work for all the right reasons," Rupert said. "The tenets of osteopathic medicine guide my philosophy of medicine, especially the principle of unity of body, mind, and spirit. I have witnessed in my career the power of connection with people and how community coming together is the foundation for all health and thriving. Once I visited, I knew that the goals of UD in establishing the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine were aligned with my own hopes of developing a culture of medical training and practice which is focused on serving people in communities. The University has already done so much to build connections and I look forward to being part of that. I am beyond excited to become part of the Dubuque community and establish my home here."

Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Rupert served as associate dean of clinical medicine and associate professor of family medicine at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith, Arkansas, from January 2024 to April 2025. She not only oversaw clinical students in their third and fourth years but also oversaw the clinical training and professionalism education aspects of first- and second-year students as well. Additionally, she has been involved with the Sebastian County Opioid Task Force and assisted in the effort leading to a major grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for youth prevention activities. Before that, Rupert held key leadership positions including assistant dean for clinical education and associate professor of family medicine at Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Yakima, Washington.

Rupert completed her doctor of osteopathic medicine and family medicine residency at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio. She holds a doctor of philosophy in history, a master of arts in economics, and a bachelor of arts in Spanish.

"On behalf of the University of Dubuque Board of Trustees, I would like to welcome Jeanne Rupert to the University of Dubuque family," said Douglas Horstmann (C'75), chair of the trustees. "I think she brings leadership skills and professional qualifications needed to build a strong DO College at the University, as we pursue programmatic accreditation. I look forward to working with her to attract top talent to build the school and to have them all become part of our greater Dubuque community."

It was announced in December 2024 that UD was officially moving forward with the required approvals and programmatic accreditation process to open a four-year medical school named in recognition of a $60 million gift from John (DHL'17) and Alice (DHL'17) Butler. The gift will support the proposed medical school's establishment, endowed scholarships for undergraduate health science and Dubuque County students enrolled in the DO program, endowed support of annual lab research and equipment updates for all health-related UD programs, endowed support of DO initiatives, program development, and outreach efforts, and endowed support to recruit, support, and retain leadership in the DO program.

UD's proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant seeking accreditation) represents the next step in helping to solve the problem of fewer physicians in the profession across the region and the nation. It's on track to open its doors in summer 2028, pending accreditation through the AOA - Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.

Located off campus at 500 Main Street in the heart of downtown Dubuque, the inaugural class of the proposed college would be around 90 students with a full capacity of 720 over the next decade. It will support over 120 faculty and staff.

Preconstruction is underway on the three-story, 117,000-square-foot brick building purchased earlier this year by UD. Renovations are expected to begin in September 2025 with an anticipated completion date of December 2026. The building is adjacent to the Town Clock Plaza in Dubuque Main Street's Town Clock District the city's Central Business District. It's within walking distance of the Five Flags Center, Washington Park, the Dubuque Museum of Art, restaurants, and more.

To learn more about UD's proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant seeking accreditation), please visit: www.dbq.edu/Academics/DoctorofOsteopathicMedicine/.