“Physicians are more likely to practice where they train. Establishing a four-year campus of Sidney Kimmel Medical College in the Lehigh Valley will expand opportunities for medical education, strengthen regional connections and build a pipeline of physicians who are committed to serving this community for generations,” added Said Ibrahim, MD, MPH, MBA, Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
The new campus marks the latest milestone in Thomas Jefferson University’s academic expansion and growth. In June 2026, SKMC was selected by Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer to establish the state’s first four-year medical school.
“With the expansion of Sidney Kimmel Medical College into the Lehigh Valley and Delaware, and the continued growth of our academic and clinical programs, this is a time of tremendous opportunity,” said Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, President, Thomas Jefferson University. “These initiatives reflect our commitment to address critical workforce needs while building sustainable academic pathways for future healthcare professionals.”
SKMC’s Lehigh Valley campus will leverage the legacy of the SELECT program, a partnership between Lehigh Valley Health Network and the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine, whose final cohort will graduate in 2027. The program’s critical medical education infrastructure and faculty expertise will transition to support the new campus.
“When Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network joined together nearly two years ago, we shared a commitment to forge new paths for academic and clinical expansion,” said Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson. “This milestone delivers on that promise and represents a long-term investment in the future of healthcare and medical education for the communities that we serve.”
In addition to the expansion of its medical college, in May 2026 Thomas Jefferson University announced plans to expand other academic programs across the Lehigh Valley. Beginning in Fall 2026, the university will offer graduate-level nursing education onsite and online, along with paramedicine and respiratory therapy programs.
By aligning academic growth with regional healthcare needs, Jefferson is creating sustainable pathways for academic and career advancement, improving workforce development and strengthening community partnerships throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
“As a former hospital executive, I know firsthand how important top-notch healthcare is to our community,” said Pennsylvania state Rep. Peter Schweyer. “This investment in the Sidney Kimmel Medical College campus will expand access to state-of-the-art healthcare and ensure top-notch medical professionals for years to come. This is a win for our region and will keep Allentown as a hub for life sciences innovation.”
“Jefferson’s investment in Allentown creates real opportunity for residents and will change lives for the better,” said Mayor Matt Tuerk. “An Allentown School District student with a dream to be a doctor can do pre-med at Cedar Crest College and now stay in Allentown for her MD. A Muhlenberg College student who comes from Puerto Rico or Connecticut who falls in love with Allentown can become a doctor right here and stay here. Our second act just got a lot more interesting.”
"Jefferson is not only a massive provider of care in the Lehigh Valley — and a big part of why so many of our residents are able to obtain the standard of living to which we have become accustomed — but they are a driver of jobs, economic development and tax revenue,” said state Rep. Mike Schlossberg. “This medical school will bring young, talented students from across the country to our region, and those students will have the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of so many Lehigh Valley residents."
The new campus will expand educational opportunities, strengthen healthcare access and support long-term economic growth across the region and the state.
“Because of investments like these, the Lehigh Valley is not only becoming a center for medical innovation, but also medical education,” said U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. “Organizations like Jefferson are helping to recruit, train and employ medical talent right here in our community — strengthening our region’s ability to continue providing top-tier care for local patients. Congratulations to Jefferson as they work to equip the next generation of medical professionals serving in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.”
“After more than two years of collaboration, we proved that Allentown is the right place to train the next generation of physicians, with accessible public transportation and a location that makes a medical education more attainable for students from all backgrounds,” said state Sen. Nick Miller. “By increasing access to medical education and encouraging graduates to build their careers here, we are strengthening our healthcare workforce, improving access to quality care and investing in a healthier future for the Lehigh Valley and all of Pennsylvania.”
