In May of 2026, UPMC Altoona became a regional medical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine. Twelve third- and fourth- year College of Medicine medical students began their two-year rotation there on May 11. UPMC Altoona provides the required clerkship specialties, which include medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. Medical students rotating at the site have access to experienced faculty and mentors dedicated to medical education, and opportunities for hands-on learning in a dynamic healthcare environment.
“The breadth of hands-on clinical training opportunities afforded to Drexel medical students is among the best in the nation, and we’re thrilled to build on these offerings in Altoona,” says Charles B. Cairns, MD, the Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean of the College of Medicine, and senior vice president of medical affairs and Drexel Health Operations at Drexel University. “Adding UPMC Altoona as a regional medical campus provides another tremendous opportunity for students to bring their knowledge to the bedside under the mentorship and leadership of compassionate, experienced and dedicated clinicians.”
“Becoming a regional medical campus is a significant milestone for UPMC Altoona and for the communities we serve,” says Mike Corso, president of UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford. “It recognizes the strength of our clinical teams and expands opportunities for future physicians to train in a high-quality, community-based environment.”
“This affiliation is a win for the medical students, for our physicians and care teams, and ultimately for our patients,” says David Burwell, MD, chief quality officer of UPMC in West Central Pennsylvania and Maryland, and interim vice president of medical affairs for UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford. “We’re excited to partner with Drexel to help train the next generation of physicians.”
