Dr. Joseph Johnson Appointed Dean of Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Published July 22, 2021
Joseph R. Johnson, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), has been appointed dean of Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM). He had previously been serving as LUCOM’s interim dean since December 2020.
“Prior to Dr. Johnson’s arrival, Liberty’s leadership set a goal to take LUCOM as a well-established osteopathic medical college, both in mission and outreach efforts, to the next level of medical education with more faculty physicians and clinical partners, as well as increase the number of clinical experiences and medical education programs for our students,” said Liberty Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott Hicks, PhD. “We are excited to have Dr. Johnson continue to lead us in this new role and advance medical training, technology, funding and research at LUCOM. His deep desire to serve Christ, and others above self, makes him the right leader for LUCOM.”
Dr. Johnson came to LUCOM after a career spanning 26 years in the medical field in obstetrical and advanced surgical roles. He led Oklahoma’s first Project for Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes, which joined medical education and care management to provide clinicians the tools to provide specialty care to rural and underserved communities while at Oklahoma State University. He is a graduate of the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“When I first arrived, it was important to look at the end in mind and ask: ‘What does a medical student that is very, very successful, has good academics and passes their boards with flying colors and gets into the residency programs of their choice look like?’ And then reverse engineer that to, what does our pipeline development look like,” Dr. Johnson explained. “We want to build a robust pipeline where applicants desire to come to Liberty University and to LUCOM over other programs. We want to secure our relationship with students and their families, so the students only want to come to Liberty University. Even if that means waiting a year to get in—we know that they know that Liberty University is the osteopathic medical college they are looking for.”
Read the full announcement of Dr. Johnson’s appointment from Liberty University.