The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) met May 2-3, 2009, and took action on a variety of fronts of interest to colleges of osteopathic medicine.

First, COCA granted pre-accreditation status to the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, MS. On May 8, William Carey held a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of the future medical college, which is expected to open its doors in fall 2010.

COCA also approved a variety of revisions to the Accreditation of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: COM Accreditation Standards and Procedures.  The revisions, which become effective on July 1, 2009, can be viewed at http://www.osteopathic.org/pdf/Standards%20Revisions%20Announcement%20May%202009.pdf.