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Montana State, Private Firm End Medical School Talks

University president Waded Cruzado said concerns expressed by doctors influenced her decision

By Molly Priddy

BOZEMAN — Montana State University and a New Mexico entrepreneur have halted talks about a public-private partnership to open a medical school in Bozeman.

University president Waded Cruzado said in an email to faculty, staff and students Tuesday that concerns expressed by doctors influenced her decision. She says for any medical school to be successful, local and regional physicians must participate.

Entrepreneur Daniel Burrell’s firm, Burrell Group, plans to continue to study whether to open a medical school in the state. A Burrell Group statement says it and MSU concluded that their discussions are premature and a distraction to the feasibility study.

The state now participates in a program that allows up to 30 Montana medical students a year to attend the University of Washington and train at Seattle hospitals.