Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony at Orange Park, Florida, on March 23, marking a significant expansion of its health sciences education mission. The location is home to the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) and the LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM).
“At Lincoln Memorial University our mission is grounded in service, preparing physicians and veterinarians to step into critical care gaps and make a difference where it matters most,” said LMU President Jason McConnell. “If we do this right, the legacy of this campus will be written far beyond these walls. It will be written in the lives we touch and the care we deliver and the people we send out to serve.”
In addition to McConnell, speakers at the event included Jon Cantrell of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce; Rick DuCharme, a community partner and philanthropist; Jennifer Green of Clay County Animal Services; Lawrence Nicolas, chief executive officer of Jax Humane; Kathleen Creason, chief executive officer of the American Osteopathic Association; Angela Falconetti, president of the University of North Florida; state Rep. Sam Garrison; state Sen. Jennifer Bradley; Dr. Anna Lebesch representing the Jax Chamber of Commerce; LMU-DCOM Dean James Toldi; and LMU-CVM Dean Kimberly Carney.
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony at Orange Park, Florida, on March 23, marking a significant expansion of its health sciences education mission. The location is home to the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) and the LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM).
Together, speakers emphasized collaboration, workforce development and the long-term impact the campus will have on patient care, economic growth and educational opportunity throughout Clay County and the greater Jacksonville region.
Located off Crossing Boulevard and Wells Road, LMU-Orange Park spans 12 acres along the St. Johns River corridor and includes two adjacent, repurposed buildings totaling approximately 130,000 square feet. The campus is situated alongside a reservoir, creating scenic views for students, faculty and staff.
LMU-CVM at Orange Park will welcome its inaugural class of approximately 150 students on June 8 in a three-year program. The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) cohort will follow, with 125 students beginning classes July 13. The first LMU-CVM class will graduate in 2029, followed by the inaugural LMU-DCOM class in 2030.
LMU’s Orange Park expansion builds on its existing presence in Florida, which includes off-campus programs in the Tampa area for nursing and physician assistant studies.
The opening of LMU’s Orange Park site has been widely covered by regional and state media, highlighting the university’s role in strengthening Northeast Florida’s health care workforce pipeline and bringing new academic investment to the area.
About LMU-DCOM
LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) was founded in 2007 and has awarded thousands of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees, with graduates practicing across the United States, many in rural and underserved communities. The college emphasizes primary care, service-based learning and hands-on clinical training.
The DCOM at Orange Park marks a significant step forward for osteopathic medical education in Florida. It is the first four-year medical school campus to open in Northeast Florida, offering students the same rigorous academic and clinical curriculum delivered at LMU’s Harrogate and Knoxville locations. The program is designed to prepare physicians equipped to meet Florida’s evolving health care needs.
The Orange Park DCOM program is led by Dr. James “Jim” Toldi, who serves as dean and oversees curriculum delivery, faculty development and clinical partnerships throughout the region.
About the LMU-CVM
LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) is one of the newest veterinary programs in the nation and is designed to produce practice-ready veterinarians through a collaborative, community-based educational model. The curriculum emphasizes clinical experience, professional skills and a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.
The Orange Park CVM expands LMU’s veterinary education footprint and strengthens partnerships with local animal health organizations and agencies across Florida. The program is led by Dr. Kimberly Carney, dean of the LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park, whose leadership focuses on innovation, clinical readiness and service-oriented training.
About Lincoln Memorial University
Founded in 1897, Lincoln Memorial University is a private, values-based institution headquartered in Harrogate, Tennessee, with academic programs spanning the health sciences, veterinary medicine, law, education, business and liberal arts. LMU has a longstanding mission to serve underserved and rural communities through access to quality education and service-driven professional training.
With campuses across Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Florida, LMU continues to expand strategically in areas where educational and workforce needs intersect, making the Orange Park campus a natural extension of that mission.
Event Photography: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCNPP7
Media Coverage
Jacksonville.com/The Florida Times-Union Preview Story
Jacksonville.com/The Florida Times-Union Event Video
Jacksonville.com/The Florida Times-Union Photo Gallery
Jacksonville Business Journal Preview Story
