The project has gained significant momentum with key leadership appointments. Dr. Marla DePolo Golden, former dean at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine locations in Georgia, will serve as founding dean. Joining her is Associate Dean Deacon Kevin Tulipana, who previously served as president of City of Hope Phoenix, a top-10 cancer center in the United States. The school requires approximately $120 million in total funding and follows a clear timeline: securing preliminary accreditation by 2027, welcoming the first class in 2028, and graduating physicians by 2032. “Benedictine happens to be our largest employer,” Mayor Young notes, emphasizing the college’s existing economic impact.The medical school would amplify this influence significantly.Westhoff observes the spillover effects already visible: “As Benedictine has been growing in the last decade, we’ve seen expansion in other industries around that growth, like healthcare. Our hospital,Amberwell Health, has grown a lot alongside Benedictine.”The osteopathic focus aligns with the college’s holistic educational philosophy, treating patients as complete persons rather than isolated medical cases. HOUSING SOLUTIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE Atchison’s housing strategy tackles decades of decline through innovative land banking and strategic development partnerships. The city created a land bank to address dilapidated properties systematically. “Since 2010, we’ve demolished over 200 of those and purchased and maintained other empty lots in town,” Westhoff explains. “Those are now available for sale at low cost for infill housing projects that have already started and are continuing to grow.” This approach transforms problem properties into development opportunities while maintaining neighborhood stability. New construction covers multiple economic segments, addressing diverse housing needs across the community. “We have more than 100 new 25 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 ATCHISON, KS
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