FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Over 350 Medical Students Start Classes

Contact: Richele Kleiser
(559) 272-8192 or rkleiser@chsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Over 350 Medical Students Started Classes at California Health Sciences University This Week

California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) welcomed its new and returning medical students to campus for in-person learning this week.

The over 350 medical students in the graduating classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026, also reported to the CHSU campus in Clovis last week for orientation.

“There is an incredible energy on our campus this year, which marks the first time we can enroll our approved maximum class size of medical students at CHSU,” said John Graneto, DO, Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The incoming class of 2026 is the third and largest cohort to date at the college, with 157 new student doctors beginning their first year of medical school.

With over 30% from the Central Valley and 85% from California, the university hopes most of these first-year medical students will complete residencies here and practice locally.

Over 3,800 candidates applied and nearly 700 applicants were interviewed for fall 2022 admission to CHSU-COM. Admission offers were made to carefully selected candidates after a holistic review that included an interview and overall portfolio, including MCAT scores, science GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and completion of pre-requisite courses.

Now in their third year of medical school, the inaugural class of 2024 advance to their clinical clerkships in Central Valley hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

“During their final two years of medical school, our students experience hands-on clinical learning and can help improve patient health outcomes in our community,” said Dr. Graneto.

Many of the CHSU medical students completed their undergraduate education at well-respected institutions such as: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Berkeley, and Fresno State.

“We aim to have our medical students represent the diverse patient populations they will serve, so we are proud that our students collectively speak 38 different languages with approximately one-third who speak Spanish,” said Dr. Graneto.

CHSU’s osteopathic medical school curriculum includes required medical Spanish for all students, to prepare its future physicians to better serve Spanish-speaking patients.

“In 2024, our students will begin residencies and make an immediate impact on the health care provider deficit in the Central Valley,” stated Dr. Graneto.

“From that point on, there will be a steady stream of new physicians joining the community every year,” he added.

The university plans to hold a White Coat Ceremony for its first-year medical students on October 1st to signify their entrance into the medical profession.

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