SENATOR BRANDON STORM FILES MEASURE TO ESTABLISH EKU'S COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 11, 2025)—With 94 percent of Kentucky counties facing a shortage of primary care providers and rural communities struggling to access essential health care, Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, has filed Senate Bill 119 to pave the way for Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to establish a College of Osteopathic Medicine.

A proud EKU alumnus, Storm is leading the charge to remove barriers preventing the university from offering a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO)—a critical step toward addressing Kentucky's growing physician shortage. If passed, the measure would make EKU the first public institution in the commonwealth to offer a DO program, helping train and retain doctors in Kentucky, particularly in underserved and rural regions.

"Kentucky desperately needs more primary care physicians, especially in rural areas like the ones I represent," Storm said. "We are chasing our tail trying to deal with the symptoms of diseases, but supporting this program at EKU can put us in a better position to prevent illnesses and focus on whole-body health."

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a whole-person approach to health care, focusing on prevention, hands-on treatment, and the body's natural healing ability. DOs are fully licensed physicians who train in all specialties but are mainly known for their work in primary care and rural medicine—areas where Kentucky faces critical shortages.

Kentucky ranks among the worst states in the nation for physician shortages, particularly in rural areas. The Kentucky Physician Report by the Center of Excellence in Rural Health highlights the severity of the crisis:

  • Only 17 percent of Kentucky's primary care physicians practice in rural areas, despite forty percent of the state's population living there.

  • Between 2013 and 2022, just 27 percent of physicians who completed their residencies in Kentucky chose to stay and work in underserved areas.

"EKU could not be more grateful to have Senator Brandon Storm serve as the bill sponsor for SB 119," said EKU President David McFaddin. "He is not only an alum of our institution but understands first-hand the demand for health care providers in both rural and urban communities across the commonwealth. Senator Storm recognizes the strain Kentucky's healthcare system is currently under and is aware that the expected retirement of nearly one-third of Kentucky physicians in the next ten years will drastically affect Kentucky communities."

"As an EKU graduate, I know firsthand how this university changes lives and serves our region," Storm added. "This proposal can make EKU a leader in medical education while providing a pipeline of much-needed doctors to communities across the commonwealth."

SB 119 is awaiting a committee assignment. It would be a historic step in expanding medical education at EKU and strengthening Kentucky's health care workforce if approved.

A feasibility study, prompted by 2024's Senate Joint Resolution 170, found no significant feasibility concerns regarding EKU's proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Deloitte report indicates the program could help address Kentucky's physician shortage, particularly in rural areas, while generating economic benefits for the state. The program would be expected to be self-sustaining by fiscal year 2031 without ongoing state support. Additionally, the study found demand for osteopathic education remains high and EKU's strong student retention and performance in state metrics position it well for expansion.

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Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, represents the 21st Senate District, including Casey, Lincoln, Laurel, and Rockcastle Counties. He serves as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and as Senate co-chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. Storm is also a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation and on Banking and Insurance. He serves as a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice. A 2023 esteemed Henry Toll Fellowship graduate, Storm was the only Kentuckian to participate in the program. 

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Storm, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=121.