D'Youville University announces location for medical school

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- D'Youville University is taking a major step forward by announcing its planned site for a new college of medicine -- and it's going to be right in the heart of Buffalo.

The school's proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine will be located at 285 Delaware Ave.

"It means a major investment," said Dr. Lorrie Clemo, president of D'Youville. "D'Youville is projected to invest more than $100 million in this project, with a return of almost $2 billion."

The site will be located just over a mile from D'Youville's main campus. Clemo said it was intentionally selected to keep the medical school in the heart of the Queen City.

"We wanted to be able to give our students an opportunity to really experience Buffalo and be part of our community," said Clemo. "While also having access to the support services they'll need on campus."

Pending pre-accreditation approval, Clemo expects roughly 720 medical students will attend the new school. She believes this will greatly help the physician shortage in Western New York.

"Our focus will be on recruiting students from Buffalo and the Western New York region," said Clemo. "Training them and trying to keep them here."

When asked why she believes there is a shortage of medical professionals across the country, Clemo said the lack of training facilities is one of the biggest reasons.

"We'll be the third osteopathic program in all of New York State," said Clemo. "We'll be the second in Buffalo, doubling the number of physicians that will be trained in this region."

New faculty from across the country will be joining the staff at the new facility. It's a project that has been years in the making, and Clemo said she's excited to see it finally taking more shape.

"This became a sort of natural expansion of what we're currently doing and have been doing for 85 years in terms of serving the needs of the health and wellness of our community," said Clemo.

If approved, the first class of students is expected to begin in 2026, with the program expanding to a total of 720 students by its sixth year.

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.