By McKenzie Womack

LSUs Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge is seeking to open a four-year medical school focused on research, and the idea has drawn tentative support from the LSU System Board of Supervisors.

The LSU medical education expansion, still in proposal stages, would be a branch of LSU Health New Orleans. Each of the four years of study would enroll about 25 students, said Pennington Executive Director Steve Heymsfield. There would be a total of 100 total students.

Initially, the school would add students a year at time.

Steve Nelson, dean of LSU Health New Orleans, said the medical school already has regional programs, but expanding to Pennington is one way to offer students more opportunities. He said the possibility of expanding the Lafayette branch at ULL, which is directed toward primary care, is another option.

There is nothing concrete, as yet, said Nelson. It is all dependent upon securing additional funding.

A Pennington medical training program has initial support on the LSU Board of Supervisors, said member Ronnie Anderson of Ethel, La.

There are more applicants than positions in Louisiana, said Anderson. This is a great opportunity for Baton Rouge and for opening up opportunities for med students. It can keep students and doctors in the state.

Board member Lee Mallett of Iowa, La., agrees. If thats what we decide to do, its a great thing. Anytime you can increase doctors and education, its great.

Opened in 1988, Pennington, which is located on Perkins Avenue in Baton Rouge, is one of the 10 campuses under the LSU System. It is a stand-alone unit whose focus is research. Its mission is to eliminate chronic disease, Heymsfield said. Its research has gained national recognition.

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LSU considering research focused medical school for Baton Rouge