Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) is a private medical school and an academic division of Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Kiran C. Patel is a renowned physician in the Tampa Bay area who has a passion for health, education, and philanthropy in which he has given millions of dollars to fund hospitals and schools like this one. His goal is to give back by educating under-privileged students with leading medical training in hopes they go on to better serve their own communities.

History and Foundation

The college was founded in 1981 as the only osteopathic medical school located in the Southeastern United States at the time. It was originally founded in North Miami Beach, Florida as the Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine (SECOM). In 1994, Southeastern University merged with Nova University, creating Nova Southeastern University. In September 2017, NSU received a $200 Million Commitment from Patel Family Foundation and the College of Medicine was named the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Academics and Student Societies

The medical college confers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. It offers a single medical degree (D.O.), the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and several master's degrees and certificate programs, including a Master of Public Health and Master of Science degrees. First-year medical students are placed into one of ten societies upon matriculation to the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Each society is overseen by a faculty member, who serves as an advisor and mentor to students in their society during their medical school years. Each year, students compete in a variety of social and academic events to earn points for their society to receive the COM-Cup.

Campus Development and Clearwater Project

The college provides education on a main campus in Davie, Florida and an additional campus in Clearwater, Florida. In 2019, using an additional $50 million donated by the Patel Family, NSU opened a second DO program as part of the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Clearwater, FL. This new school features best-in-class accredited master’s and doctoral degree programs as well as 110,000 square feet of space for classrooms, laboratories, offices, study spaces, and an auditorium.

Construction and Architectural Scope

For the exterior of this building, MG McGrath fabricated 20 oz copper material into our own H-Seam style panel system. Our architectural surfaces team installed nearly 14,500 square feet of these copper panels finished in our own custom Pike patina. This aged copper has a beautiful turquoise-green verdigris with flecks of natural copper underneath. A unique aspect about the project is there is an active Bald Eagle’s nest within 660’ of the project which limited construction during the nesting season and required additional monitoring of the eagles.

Notable Alumni

• Tyler Cymet, D.O. ('88) – Professor of Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, described a new genetic syndrome called Erondu–Cymet syndrome.
• Will Kirby, D.O., FAOCD ('00) – Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatologist; leading authority on laser tattoo removal; winner of CBS's Big Brother.
• Ross Zafonte, D.O. ('85) – Physiatrist and Chairperson of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
• Ronald Renuart, D.O. ('90) – Republican politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.