On Jun. 30, 2022, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine announces the next steps in its development, including a new name reflecting its founder’s commitment and plans for a state-of-the-art medical education facility to be built in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Founded in 2021 by philanthropist Alice Walton, the School of Medicine, formerly named Whole Health School of Medicine and Health Sciences, will offer a four-year, medical degree-granting program that integrates conventional medicine with holistic principles and self-care practices. Taught by leading medical practitioners and scientific minds, the first-of-its-kind medical school will help students rise to the health challenges of the 21st century with a focus on mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and will include an attached clinic for clinical training in these concepts. The School of Medicine seeks to be a national medical school with the goal of welcoming its inaugural class in 2025, pending programmatic and institutional accreditation.

The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine Board of Directors held their first meeting and voted unanimously to approve the name change on June 29.

Walton’s deep commitment to building a whole health approach to health care includes the creation of Whole Health Institute and a partnership with Cleveland Clinic and the Washington Regional Medical System to create a transformative health care system. Reflective of this commitment and vision, the School will now bear its founder’s name: Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.

Currently in the design development phase, construction of the 154,000 square-foot building will begin in Spring 2023, with the goal of completing and welcoming the first class in Fall 2025, pending accreditation. The School of Medicine will be located east of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and connected through the trails to its sister organization, Whole Health Institute.