April 9, 2026

Starting in May 2026, UPMC Altoona will serve as a regional medical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine. Twelve third- and fourth- year College of Medicine medical students will begin their two-year rotation there on May 11.

UPMC Altoona was selected to serve as a regional medical campus based on its ability to provide the required clerkship specialties, which include medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. Medical students will have access to experienced faculty and mentors dedicated to medical education, and opportunities for hands-on learning in a dynamic health care environment. This will be the first medical campus in the Altoona, Pennsylvania region.

The breadth of hands-on clinical training opportunities afforded to our medical students is among the best in the nation, and we’re thrilled to build on these offerings in Altoona,” said Charles B. Cairns, MD, the Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean of Drexel's College of Medicine, senior vice president of medical affairs at Drexel University, and senior vice president, Drexel Health Operations. “Adding UPMC Altoona as a regional medical campus will provide 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 for Drexel University College of Medicine is a significant milestone for UPMC Altoona and for the communities we serve,” said 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,” said David Burwell, M.D., chief quality officer of UPMC in West Central Pa. and Maryland and interim vice president of Medical Affairs for UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford.  “As a regional medical campus, UPMC Altoona will provide the full range of required clerkship experiences—supported by dedicated faculty, strong mentorship, and hands-on learning in a dynamic clinical setting. We’re excited to partner with Drexel to help train the next generation of physicians.