LMU Grows Its Footprint with Major Medical and Veterinary Expansion in Orange Park, Florida

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is expanding its medical and veterinary education programs into Orange Park, Florida, marking a significant and exciting milestone in the university’s mission to serve underserved communities.

The new learning sites for the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), and the LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM) will occupy two adjacent buildings spanning 130,000 square feet across 12 acres. Approved by the LMU Board of Trustees, this expansion aims to create more opportunities for students to pursue careers in osteopathic and veterinary medicine.

“Our additional location in Orange Park will not only support our mission of producing osteopathic physicians to fill the growing need in underserved communities, but it will also provide educational opportunities for one of LMU-DCOM’s largest applicant groups— students from Florida,” said Dr. Christopher Loyke, dean and chief academic officer of LMU-DCOM. Pending necessary approvals, LMU-DCOM at Orange Park aims to welcome its first class in 2026.

Dr. Kimberly Carney, the founding dean of LMU-OPCVM, will lead the veterinary program’s accreditation process, curriculum development, and faculty recruitment. “We are developing an innovative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Orange Park under the leadership of an experienced and visionary team,” said Dr. Stacy Anderson, executive dean of LMU-CVM in Harrogate. “I am excited to lead the development of LMU-OPCVM,” Carney added. “With the experience and knowledge gained from nearly a decade of educating veterinary students in Harrogate, I am confident we can create a cutting-edge program that serves the veterinary needs of our global community.”

LMU-DCOM was founded in 2007 at LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with a second location added in Knoxville in 2019. Since its inaugural class graduated in 2011, LMU-DCOM has awarded Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees to nearly 3,000 students. Of the 99% of graduates located based on licensure information, 69% are practicing in primary care, and 43% serve in underserved areas—demonstrating LMU’s commitment to addressing health care shortages.

LMU-CVM, headquartered at the university’s main campus in Harrogate, also maintains academic facilities in Lee County, Virginia. The veterinary programs emphasize real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment.

With this expansion into Orange Park, LMU continues to advance its mission of preparing the next generation of health care and veterinary professionals while increasing access to quality education for students in Florida and beyond.