One of 66 graduates from California Health Sciences University (CHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine cheers last weekend at the inaugural Class of 2024 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony. CHSU photo

A total of 66 graduates from California Health Sciences University (CHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine received their doctoral medical degrees last weekend at the inaugural Class of 2024 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony.

The ceremony marked the first graduating class from the College, which received accreditation earlier this year.

Former Fresno State President and Founding Chair of the CHSU Board of Trustees Dr. John Welty presented Founding President Florence Dunn with an honorary doctorate degree recognizing her service to the university.

“We set out on a mission to improve access to healthcare by educating and training physicians to serve the Central Valley and beyond,” said John Graneto, DO, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Now, four years later, I’m filled with a sense of pride to see our first cohort of physicians graduate and serve as compassionate, knowledgeable and skilled health care providers.”

President-elect of the American Osteopathic Association Dr. Teresa Hubka delivered the keynote address, sharing that the number of osteopathic doctors (DO) has tripled over the past 30 years.

This year’s class boasted a 100% residency match rate for new physicians who will begin their training programs this summer.

More than one-third of graduates (34%) will remain local with 65% pursuing careers in primary care.

Primary care doctors are in short supply nationwide, specifically in the Valley, something that Valley education centers like CHSU and UCSF Fresno look to alleviate.

“The Valley is the fastest-growing region in California yet it has the lowest supply of physicians at a rate of 47 doctors per 100,000 residents,” said Rep. Jim Costa during a press conference at UCSF Monday. “We must do more to expand medical education and close these workforce gaps.”

The College has about 500 medical students attending and hopes to increase that number by approximately 100 students next year.

The university also offers a one-year Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, graduating its first cohort earlier this month. Many graduates have already received acceptance into the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and other health care education sites.