INDIANAPOLIS – Marian University has announced that Amanda Wright, DO, has been named Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, following an extensive national search and interview process. Dr. Wright has been serving as interim dean of the College since June 2020.

As Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Wright will direct and oversee all aspects of medical education, ensuring the program fulfills Marian University’s mission, goals and strategic plan. She will actively promote the advancements of scientific knowledge and scholarship among the faculty, strongly focus on clinical residencies, and be responsible for planning, budgeting, supervising and evaluating personnel and programs within the College and for compliance with accreditation standards. She will continue to report to Marsha Casey, senior vice president of health professions.

“In her time as interim dean, Dr. Wright continuously demonstrated she has the vision, skills, and passion to lead our medical school”, said Daniel J. Elsener, president of Marian University. “She has an unparalleled ability to form meaningful connections with our students, faculty, and partners in healthcare. With her leadership, the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine will continue to attract and graduate the nation’s best physicians.”

Prior to joining Marian University, Wright was associate dean of clinical medicine at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to that, Wright was the osteopathic family medicine program director at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria/UnityPoint Health Methodist.

Wright received her undergraduate degree in biology and pre-medicine from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Ind. She earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP).

“It is truly an honor to be named dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine”, said Dr. Amanda Wright. In my time serving as interim dean, I have found my talented colleagues, the excellent university leadership, the dedicated clinical partners and the incredible students to be inspiring. I look forward to continuing to contribute to this great university.”

Opened in 2013, the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine is only one of two medical schools in Indiana and the first to open in the past 110 years.

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 About the College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Opened in August 2013, the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine became Indiana’s second medical school and the first to open in 110 years. It is the nation’s first osteopathic medical school at a Catholic university and just the fifth medical school of any kind located at a Catholic university. 

 About Marian University Indianapolis

Founded in 1937, Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana. In 2021, Marian is serving more than 2,500 undergraduate and more than 1,150 graduate students earning degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. The university's high-impact, experiential curriculum is designed to provide hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities for students from 40 states and 23 nations. Marian climbed in U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Midwestern rankings to be named #3 Most Innovative Regional University, #5 Best Value University, and #28 Best Regional University. Marian University opened its College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2013, making it the first new school of medicine in the state of Indiana in 110 years. Marian's national champion varsity athletic programs include the 2012 and 2015 NAIA Football Championship, the 2016 and 2017 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, the 2019 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship, and more than 40 USA Cycling national championships.