Government officials in St. Kitts and Nevis are said to be investigating a medical school started by a Pennsylvania man who reportedly was fired from another school for falsifying his academic credentials, according to a published report there.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported on Monday that St. Kitts and Nevis ' Health officials are investigating allegations and questions related to the extent of Thomas M. Uhrin's medical training and validity of his professional credentials. Uhrin, 43, opened St. Theresa's Medical University on St. Kitts last year.

"We want reputable schools," the paper quoted Health Minister Rupert Herbert as saying.

It said Uhrin, the Chancellor and Executive Dean of the medical school, claims to be a medical doctor, despite reportedly admitting not completing his medical training, and has never been licensed as a physician.

The paper said a dozen students attended St. Theresa's medical school last semester, which is accredited to confer Bachelor of Science, Master of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

"If information is brought to our attention that (a school) is not legitimate, there is no hesitation in pulling the cord," Shawna Lake, chairman of the Ministry of Education's accreditation board was quoted as saying.

"Education has become a big money-making thing," she added, "but we have a responsibility to the students."