CHSU-COM Inaugural Class of Medical Students Make History
July 24, 2020
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) has officially welcomed their first cohort of medical students.
These inaugural students made history on July 21, 2020 when they began their journey to become physicians at the Valley’s new medical school during Orientation. The inaugural cohort is comprised of 81 students, 36% of which are from the Central Valley and 83% of the students are from California.
“Today is a historic moment for the Valley. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome the inaugural class of 2024 to California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine,” stated John Graneto, DO, Dean of the CHSU-COM, in an address to his faculty and new medical students.
“Today marks another step towards achieving our mission to improve the health care outcomes of people living in the Central Valley. In four short years, these future DO physicians will make an immediate impact on the health care provider deficit in our hospitals, clinics, and private practices,” stated Dr. Graneto.
During the competitive 2019-2020 admissions cycle, the admissions team received nearly 4,000 applications and invited 7% of those candidates to an in-person interview session. Candidates that were offered admission were carefully selected based on their overall portfolio including MCAT scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement and completion of pre-requisite courses.
The inaugural class includes highly qualified students that completed their undergraduate education at well-respected institutions such as: UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Merced, Fresno State and Fresno Pacific University.
“The CHSU-COM admissions team seeks to admit students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary to become exemplary osteopathic physicians, said Dr. Graneto.
The inaugural cohort at CHSU-COM is also very diverse. Twenty-seven different languages are spoken amongst the students in the inaugural class, including 38% that speak Spanish.
“Many of our medical students and future physicians will be able to serve patients while speaking to them in their native language to gain trust and confidence, thus improving the health outcomes and wellness of our wonderfully diverse community,” said Dean Graneto.
For those Valley students interested in pursuing medical school, the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is currently accepting applications for their second cohort of medical students to matriculate in July 2021 through the AACOMAS website (link).
Read News Media stories about the CHSU-COM inaugural class here: