The new medical school at Arizona State University (ASU) has reached a significant milestone with the announcement of its preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This accreditation allows the school to commence recruitment for its inaugural class, set to begin in August 2026. ASU also revealed a substantial donation, amounting to over $100 million, marking the second largest gift in the university’s history, which will support the establishment and operation of the school now named the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering.
ASU President Michael Crow expressed gratitude for the accreditation, acknowledging the dedication of the team that contributed to this achievement. “While it is something we expected, accreditation is not to be taken lightly. We are grateful to the LCME and to our team that has been working tirelessly to help make that happen,” he stated. The substantial financial investment for naming the school further underscores its importance. Crow highlighted that John Shufeldt, the benefactor, embodies the qualities the school aims to foster in its students as a physician and entrepreneur.
Dr. Shufeldt’s extensive background includes an MD, JD, and MBA, along with board certification in emergency medicine. He founded several health care companies, including NextCare and MeMD, and his gift will also fund an endowed professorship in entrepreneurship within medicine, along with a health-tech venture philanthropy fund managed by the ASU Foundation for a New American University.
“When I heard President Crow talk about the medical school, how he intended to design it and what his hope for it is for the future, all I could think of was, ‘Well, I know what I want to do for the next 30 years,’” Shufeldt remarked. He emphasized the need for physicians who are not only skilled but also innovative leaders capable of addressing health care challenges with compassion.
Innovative Training Approach for Future Health Leaders
The John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering aims to create a new breed of health care leaders by integrating multiple disciplines. The school will collaborate with its primary clinical affiliate, HonorHealth, to train students in medicine, engineering, technology, and the humanities. Students will earn both an MD and a Master of Science in medical engineering in a four-year program, equipping them for careers in medicine, research, entrepreneurship, and health leadership.
Graduates will be prepared to utilize modern tools, including artificial intelligence and data science, to enhance patient engagement and develop innovative health care solutions. Founding dean Dr. Holly Lisanby called Shufeldt’s contribution “transformative,” noting that it enables the school to attract students whose interests align with its unique curriculum. “Our students are going to be fully immersed in both cultures from the very beginning: the medical culture as well as engineering,” Lisanby explained.
She highlighted the importance of dual training, stating that students will learn to navigate the literatures of both fields and engage with faculty from diverse backgrounds, including clinical medicine, engineering, and entrepreneurship. This approach aims to cultivate physician-engineer-entrepreneurs who will reshape the future of health care.
Building a Comprehensive Health Education Ecosystem
The establishment of the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering is part of ASU Health, a broader interdisciplinary initiative that seeks to address health needs in Arizona and beyond. The project encompasses several educational entities, including the new School of Technology for Public Health, the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, the College of Health Solutions, and the ASU Health Observatory. All these programs will be headquartered in downtown Phoenix within the Phoenix Bioscience Core.
Dr. Sherine Gabriel, executive vice president of ASU Health, remarked on the significance of the recent developments. “Today’s news is another giant step forward in building the learning ecosystem that is ASU Health,” she stated. With a talented faculty already in place and a strong partnership with HonorHealth, the school is poised to attract a diverse group of students.
The new medical school will temporarily operate from the Mercado in downtown Phoenix until the completion of the ASU Health headquarters, which is expected to break ground in spring 2026 and be completed by 2028. The preliminary accreditation granted by the LCME is crucial as it enables the school to recruit students, who will ultimately be eligible for federal financial aid, residency programs, and licensure exams. The school will continue to be evaluated by the LCME, working towards achieving provisional and, eventually, full accreditation.
As ASU embarks on this new educational journey, the focus remains on creating a dynamic and innovative training environment that prepares the next generation of health care leaders to tackle the evolving challenges in the field.
