ICOM Honors Gov. Otter During Room Naming Ceremony

Photo Caption: Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter cuts the ribbon on his namesake auditorium. (L-R) ICOM President Dr. Tracy Farnsworth; Gov. Otter; First Lady Lori Otter; ICOM Dean Dr. Robert Hasty; ICOM Student Doctor Jacob Boyd; ICOM Professor Dr. Dennis Rau; ICOM Professor Dr. Rodney Bates.

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), Idaho’s first medical school, honored Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter during a room naming ceremony on Monday, Nov. 5.

ICOM unveiled its 250-seat, “Governor C.L. ‘Butch’ Otter Auditorium,” to Idaho’s governor of 12 years.

“ICOM would not exist without the vision, leadership, and support of Gov. Otter,” said Dr. Tracy Farnsworth, Founding President of ICOM. “He clearly understood that a bold public-private partnership with Idaho State University was needed to create Idaho’s first school of medicine. His leadership in this regard will bless Idahoans for generations.”

ICOM students and staff, along with various community partners, gathered to watch Gov. Otter and First Lady Lori Otter, cut the ribbon on their namesake auditorium.

“It’s a great day. I have to tell you, my spirits are high but my feelings are a little tender. When I saw that signage on the wall, I think about all that we went through to bring this school to Idaho,” Gov. Otter said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This was something that I wanted to see happen, and eventually the magic of a public-private partnership came together, and that’s why we’re here today.”

Gov. Otter, whose support was fundamental in establishing ICOM, also approved a $3.85M tax reimbursement incentive for the school, which ICOM leaders directed to the ICOM Scholarship Fund. 

“ICOM has been incredibly blessed with Gov. Otter’s leadership,” said Dr. Robert Hasty, Founding Dean of ICOM. “Idaho currently ranks 49th in the nation for physicians per capita. The difference ICOM will make will improve healthcare in the Gem State for decades to come. ICOM will be known as the crowning achievement and long-lasting legacy of Gov. Otter.”

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