BHSU’s osteopathic medical school welcomes first class
Class of 2028 includes 81 students
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine class of 2028 received their white coats to mark the beginning of their osteopathic medicine careers. Eighty-one students comprise the inaugural class.
During orientation, Dr. Peter Bell, DO, the school's vice provost and dean, likened the rigorous medical training to climbing Mt. Everest, with faculty and staff serving as “sherpas” guiding them to the summit by supporting students in body, mind and spirit. He stressed the importance of students proactively engaging in their own wellness. In that vein, the YMCA board offered each student a free membership to the Memphis-area YMCA.
Mid-South Representation
Doctors of osteopathic medicine have many specialties, but 53% tend to go into primary care, often in rural areas with underserved populations. Like many areas of the country, the Mid-South is facing a shortage of primary care and family medicine doctors, and BHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine hopes to address this challenge by producing high-quality physicians to serve this region.
“Forty percent of the class of 2028 is from Tennessee. Our hope is these students will ultimately choose to practice in the Mid-South,” said Meghan Woodham, director of admissions.
White Coat Ceremony
Dr. Teresa Hubka, DO, president of the American Osteopathic Association, invited students to consider the AOA as their national professional home. Today, AOA supports 150,000 osteopathic physicians and 40,000 osteopathic student physicians.
“I want you to wear the initials OMS [osteopathic medical student] proudly as you enter the classroom and our clinics and hospitals. You’re joining a wonderful profession during a time of tremendous growth.”
Dr. Teresa Hubka, DO
Keynote Speaker
Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, DO, welcomed students to the house of medicine. Dr. Ross-Lee was one of only two females and one of two minorities in her osteopathic medicine program in 1973. In 1993, she became the first African American woman to be appointed dean of a medical school in the U.S.
“Each of you brings a personal perspective, born of your life experiences and backgrounds. Your diverse perspectives are important. Producing excellence is what diversity is all about, and it is why diversity is such a powerful force in addressing the health of the American population. The white coat is a symbol to the public that you are prepared."
Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, DO
The class of 2028 brings its own diversity to the field of medicine. Women make up 58 percent of the class, and students represent 21 different states. A total of 1,884 individuals applied for admission.
Five students were “coated” by their physician parents, as they continue their family legacy of providing medical care.
The school has a rolling admissions process and is currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. For more information about the application process, please click here.
What is a doctor of osteopathic medicine?
Doctors of osteopathic medicine, or DOs, bring a unique, patient-centered approach to every medical specialty. Trained in holistic health care, DOs incorporate the body, mind and spirit of the patient in their approach to care.
DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to restore health and stay well. They treat the whole person, incorporating the latest science and technology with other treatment options, considering how lifestyle and environmental factors affect a patient’s well-being.
Just like medical doctors (MDs), students of osteopathic medicine complete four years of medical school, followed by residency and fellowships. DOs hold some of the most prominent positions in health care today, including overseeing the care of the president of the United States, the NASA medical team, Olympic athletes and many members of the military.
For more information about BHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, please click here.
