PIKEVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 30, 2017)– The University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine recently recognized the newest Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program (OMSP) participants.
The class includes Adam Hotelling of Eastern, Morgyn Dixon of Hazard, Haley Osborne of Langley, Ashley Belcher of Elkhorn City, and Nathaniel Simpson of Frankfort.
The University of Pikeville, in conjunction with the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM), offers students a cooperative eight-year program (4+4) leading to a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. The medical school accepts 135 students in each class. This year, KYCOM received more than 3,000 applications.
OMSP candidates must apply as an incoming college freshman, have a minimum 1200 SAT or 26 ACT, be in the top 10 percent of their graduating class or have earned a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Preference will be given to Kentucky residents. Up to 10 scholars are selected each year. After completion of the bachelor’s degree program at the undergraduate college, scholars will be automatically admitted to the medical school if they have maintained a required cumulative and science GPA in undergraduate work, met a required score on the MCAT and participated in program activities. Scholars must also participate in extracurricular health-related community service activities, community physician “shadowing,” a pre-med club and KYCOM student activities. Program participants receive a scholarship.
“We are excited to provide this program for outstanding high school seniors who want to pursue a career in medicine and desire the opportunity to serve their communities in a significant way,” said Boyd R. Buser, D.O., FACOFP, vice president for health affairs and dean of the medical school. “The Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program is an important step in helping us to continue to fulfill our mission of easing the physician shortage in rural and underserved areas of Kentucky and Appalachia.”
Medicine in the Mountains … Keeping the Promise: The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrates 20 years of “Keeping the Promise.” Since its inception in 1997, KYCOM has played an important role in preparing physicians to serve the healthcare needs of underserved populations in Kentucky and other Appalachian regions. Of the more than 1,000 graduates since the first class of physicians in 2001, 76 percent of these physicians are serving in primary care.
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