WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - The Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine had its grand opening Friday. 

It’s the first and only osteopathic medical school in Kansas. Students finished orientation this week and start classes on Monday, Aug. 1. 

“We built all the curriculum over the past year, but we've also been working on executing that curriculum, and we've been practicing on ourselves, making sure our technology works,” Megan Bayer, director of simulation for the college, said. 

There are 91 students in the college’s first class. Bayer said next year the school plans to accept 127 and, every year following, accept 170. 

“We’re all kind of pioneers together, you know, learning and growing, and I think that draws a certain type of person,” she said. 

The school is opening in downtown Wichita near the intersection of William and Broadway. Empty lecture halls, exam rooms and hospital beds await students.

“Having all of the students here and populating the area and the spaces it's just been so exciting,” Bayer said. “I can't even hardly describe the energy.”

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program takes four years to complete. Students will spend the first two in Wichita and second two working in clinics and hospitals across the state. 

“The opportunity to bring physicians to the state and the rural areas, which are historically underserved, it’s a real privilege to be part of it,” Bayer said. 

While the students are here in Wichita, businesses and apartments in the downtown Wichita area said they are ready to welcome them with open arms. April Beevers at Moka’s Cafe said she’s hoping the new college will lead to a boost in business. 

“We definitely expect flow students, especially school starting soon,” Beevers said. “We’re definitely going to be reaching out to them as well, you know, letting them know we’re here.” 

Bayer said 21 percent of the college’s first group of students is from Kansas.