Aria University President Anand Kuchibhotia said he and the university’s team of executives and trustees are dead-serious about opening a school of medicine in the valley, and by doing so, improving the quality and availability of health care in valley communities.
“We have done a lot of groundwork in the last few years,” Kuchibhotia said.
Some weeks ago, they came to Bakersfield to make a presentation, to describe their mission and their vision [to Drs. Ravi and Naina Patel] , he said.
“Exactly a week ago Friday I received a call (from the Patels) that they were coming forward to donate a million dollars,” he said. “At this juncture, it’s a huge impetus, and really gives us the momentum to move it forward.”
Because the university is a private, nonprofit institution, all donations are tax-deductible. But it will take many more similar gifts before they get to the finish line. The final cost is estimated at $100 million, Kuchibhotia said.
Aria University’s med school has achieved applicant status with the LCME.
No date has been set for opening and no site for the medical school has been finalized.