ASU’s New Medical School Receives Preliminary Accreditation, Major Gift, and a New Name

PHOENIX, AZ— Arizona State University has taken a major step forward in redefining the future of medical education. ASU announced that its new medical school has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), a milestone that allows the university to begin recruiting its first class of students for the fall of 2026.

Adding to the landmark news, ASU revealed a transformational nine-figure gift — the second largest in university history — which will not only support the school’s development but also gives it a powerful new identity: the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering.

“This is a giant leap forward,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “While we anticipated accreditation, it is not something to be taken lightly. We are grateful to the LCME and our dedicated team who made this possible.”

Crow praised the school’s namesake, Dr. John Shufeldt, calling him “the embodiment of the kind of student we want to produce” — a physician, innovator, and entrepreneur who has spent his career at the intersection of medicine, law, and business.

Shufeldt, who holds an MD, JD, and MBA, is board certified in emergency medicine and is the founder of NextCare, MeMD, and Tribal Health. His landmark gift will not only support the school’s launch but also establish an endowed professorship in medical entrepreneurship and a venture philanthropy fund called Xcellerant Ventures, to be operated by the ASU Foundation.

“When I heard President Crow describe this vision, I knew what I wanted to do for the next 30 years,” Shufeldt said. “We don’t just need more doctors — we need innovative, compassionate leaders who are ready to reshape health care. That’s what this school will create.”

A New Kind of Medical School

Led by founding dean Dr. Holly Lisanby, the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering will offer a dual-degree program that integrates clinical medicine with advanced engineering. Students will earn both an MD and a Master of Science in Medical Engineering in just four years.

“This is a school for the next generation of physician-engineer-entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Lisanby. “Our students will be immersed in medicine, engineering, and entrepreneurship from day one.”

The school’s curriculum will prepare graduates to work seamlessly across disciplines — from clinical practice and medical research to biotech innovation and health-tech startups. Equipped with expertise in AI, data science, and new medical technologies, graduates will be poised to lead in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.

The school’s primary clinical partner is HonorHealth, ensuring robust clinical training aligned with ASU’s mission of innovation and public service.

A Cornerstone of ASU Health

The new school is part of ASU Health, the university’s expansive health-focused initiative that brings together new and existing schools to tackle Arizona’s and the nation’s most pressing health challenges. ASU Health includes:

John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering

School of Technology for Public Health

Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation

College of Health Solutions

ASU Health Observatory

All of these will be headquartered at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, making downtown Phoenix a hub for health innovation and education.

Dr. Sherine Gabriel, executive vice president of ASU Health, called today’s news a defining moment.

“With accreditation in place and a visionary gift from Dr. Shufeldt, we are now positioned to recruit top-tier students and faculty,” Gabriel said. “We’re creating a truly interdisciplinary learning ecosystem, rooted in innovation and impact.”