Osteopathic Heritage Foundation

The relationship between the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (Foundation) is a story of shared purpose, strategic vision and transformative investment in the future of osteopathic medicine. Rooted in a mutual commitment to improving health care outcomes—especially for Ohio’s rural and underserved populations—the collaboration has helped position the Heritage College as a national leader in primary care education, medical research and community health.

Foundations of a Shared Mission

The Foundation’s history dates back to 1940 with the founding of Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio by three osteopathic physicians, Drs. Watson, Clybourne and Licklider. Even before the founding of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975, Doctors Hospital was deeply involved in the promotion of osteopathic medical education in Ohio. In 1972, Doctors Hospital was among the key advocates for the establishment of a new osteopathic medical school in the state.

When the College of Medicine welcomed its first class in 1976, Doctors Hospital became a vital osteopathic training site for the college’s medical students and residents. This early alliance laid the groundwork for a partnership that has grown exponentially over the decades.

Early Philanthropy and Program Development

The formal philanthropic relationship between the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Heritage College began following the Foundation’s 1998 asset sale of the Doctors Hospital system to OhioHealth, which significantly expanded the Foundation’s ability to advance its mission to improve health and quality of life in the community through education, research and service consistent with its osteopathic heritage. In 2000, the Foundation made its first major gift to the Heritage College—$1.5 million to establish the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation James O. Watson, D.O., Endowed Research Chair.

Over the next decade, the Foundation contributed steadily, advancing the college’s research and education infrastructure, including:

• $234,000 (2000-2003) for the Heritage Health Policy Fellowship Program.
• $204,000 (2001-2004) for the Geographic Information System.
• $437,000 (2001-2008) for the CORE Director of Research Development.
• $1.1 million (2002-2008) for the development of a virtual haptic back training system.
• $10 million (2005-2010) for the Academic and Research Center
• $1.4 million (2005-2011) to support the Diabetes Institute, Ohio Neuromusculoskeletal Institute (OMNI) and the CORE Research program.
• $2.3 million (2009-2012) for the Heritage Center for Clinical Training, Assessment and Community Healthcare.

A Historic Milestone: $105 Million Gift Launches Vision 2020

In 2011, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation approved $105 million to the college. At the time, it was the largest single gift in the history of public higher education in Ohio. This transformational investment launched the college’s Vision 2020 initiative, a bold plan to reimagine its academic structure, clinical training, research capabilities and statewide presence.

With this historic gift, the Heritage College:

• Expanded to three campuses in Athens, Dublin and Cleveland
• Doubled its medical student enrollment, becoming Ohio’s largest public medical school
• Developed a new, innovative curriculum
• Strengthened its clinical education network
• Accelerated research in primary care, aging and chronic disease.
• Increased scholarship support for medical students
• Enhanced service to underserved communities in Ohio

This era of unprecedented growth culminated in the construction of Heritage Hall, a state-of-the-art medical education facility in Athens named in honor of the Foundation. The college also established the Diabetes Institute and strengthened the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, both of which continue to lead groundbreaking research. This gift also provided resources for the Heritage Translational Research Center. Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2026. The HTRC will bring together research labs and operations that are now housed in multiple buildings across campus, providing space for human subject and basic science research, as well as room for community health programs.

The Next Chapter: Vision 2035 and a $70 Million Commitment

In 2024, the Foundation deepened its commitment to the Heritage College with a $70 million gift, launching Vision 2035, a new 10-year initiative focused on reducing student debt and expanding translational research. This most recent gift includes:

• $45 million for research: Supporting new endowed faculty positions, a new institute focused on aging, the development of a Data Science Core for health data analytics and expanded research opportunities for medical students.
• $25 million for scholarships: Matching funds to double the number of Heritage College students receiving substantial tuition support, especially those pursuing primary care in underserved Ohio communities.

Combined with previous gifts, the Foundation’s total investment in the Heritage College now exceeds $193 million, positioning it as one of the largest philanthropic supporters of any osteopathic medical school in the United States.

A Shared Vision for a Healthier Ohio

The decades-long relationship between the Heritage College and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation has been strengthened by a common purpose: to advance osteopathic medical education, improve community health and address pressing health care challenges such as the shortage of primary care physicians and the diabetes epidemic.

Today, the Heritage College ranks among the top medical schools nationally for the number of graduates practicing in primary care and rural areas. More than 90% of its students are Ohio residents, and many return to serve in Ohio communities after graduation.

“The 2011 gift completely transformed the Heritage College and primary care in the state of Ohio,” said Ken Johnson, D.O., vice president of Health Affairs and senior strategist for Health Partnerships. “Thanks to the Foundation, we have trained thousands of primary care physicians, many of whom are now serving in rural and underserved communities across Ohio, expanding access to health care and improving lives.”

The collaboration between the Heritage College and the Foundation is a model of mission-driven philanthropy. It exemplifies how strategic investment and shared values can create lasting change—transforming an institution, reshaping a profession and improving the lives of countless individuals through education, research and service. As this relationship moves into its next chapter, it remains grounded in a powerful vision: a healthier Ohio, driven by the principles and promise of osteopathic medicine.