Students from Sam Houston State University are helping to fill the gaps in health care in Texas

The Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, founded in 2020 as an extension of the school’s main campus, is preparing to honor its first graduating class on May 9.

“I’m just so proud of our students and our faculty and staff for everything that we’ve been able to put together,” says Dr. Thomas J. Mohr, dean of the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Mohr said the program is unique because it provides students with hands-on experience in local clinics and hospitals. He said the program is intentionally designed to meet the needs of individuals in underserved populations across the state.

“What Texas needs as much as (specialty physicians) is primary care (physicians),” Mohr said. “They need access to care, especially in underserved communities and rural areas. That’s a big problem as our state continues to grow.”

The first graduating class recently attended a match day event where they learned where their residency will be served.

“We were thrilled that all of our 69 graduates have been placed in residency programs and that 62% of them will be in Texas, which is a big part of our mission,” Mohr said. “(Of those students), 58% of them follow specialties in primary care. We are therefore very proud of our students.”

Although individuals can become a fully licensed physician by obtaining a doctorate of medicine, Mohr said many people may not know that they can also become a licensed physician by obtaining a degree in osteopathic medicine.

“Doctors of osteopathic medicine can specialize in any type of medicine,” Mohr said. “I am an internist and hospital doctor. You can be a general practitioner, you can be a surgeon, a cardiologist, an orthopedic surgeon… anything you want (with this degree).”

Another way the program sets itself apart is because it is the cheapest osteopathic medical school in the country. Mohr said this is because state lawmakers supported their request for state funding.

“Not only are we the least expensive, but we are also in the top three of all osteopathic medical schools nationwide,” Mohr said.

As a testament to the new program’s success, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine received full accreditation with exceptional results.

“That means that instead of the usual seven years of accreditation, we get ten years, and that is actually reserved for the best of the best,” says Mohr. “The coolest thing about this is that there has never been a new osteopathic medical school that has been accredited right out of the box with exceptional results. We are the first and only.”

Ready to make an impact on your community by becoming a doctor of osteopathic medicine? Visit the school’s website to register today or for more information.

The above story was produced by multi-platform journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro of Community Impact’s Storytelling team, with information provided solely by the local business as part of their purchase of ‘sponsored content’ through our advertising team.