Susan Robertson

Merging with Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk to form the William & Mary School of Medicine definitely has potential, but the benefits have yet to be spelled out.

The possible partnership, announced Wednesday, would make William & Mary the fourth state university with a medical program. The obvious benefits include prestige for William & Mary and state funding for EVMS.

W&M President Taylor Reveley said serious consideration of a merger began only recently, and a look at similar partnerships will undergo due diligence by the administration and the Board of Visitors.

Im well aware of the resources a medical school can bring to a university, he said. Although William and Mary and EVMS have cooperated in the past, making EVMS a part of the college would provide greater opportunities for collaboration and the development of innovative learning and research opportunities for William & Mary undergraduate and graduate students.

Out in Roanoke, Virginia Tech had four big reasons for merging with the Carilion hospital system in 2007, according to Larry Hincker, associate vice president for university relations at Virginia Tech.

To address a looming shortage of doctors.

To improve health care delivery in Southwest Virginia.

To expand Virginia Techs life science and human health research.

To link efforts of Virginia Tech and Carilion and create jobs in the region.

Original post:

Medical merger is enticing to college