Sixty-six graduates from California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated a milestone on Sunday, May 19, 2024, as they received their doctoral medical degrees at the inaugural Class of 2024 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony at the Save Mart Center in Fresno.

Among the highlights of the ceremony was the recognition of CHSU Founding President, Florence Dunn, for her exemplary leadership, dedication, and service to the University. Dunn was presented with an honorary doctorate degree by Dr. John Welty, founding chair of the CHSU Board of Trustees.

During the ceremony, College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates were draped with academic hoods, symbolizing their initiation into the field of medicine. President Dunn conferred the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine upon the graduates, eight of whom graduated with honors. Hayley Vietti, DO, and Soheil Zorofchian, DO, were named as the Class Valedictorians.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Teresa Hubka, president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association, who highlighted the growth of the profession. Dr. Hubka emphasized that there are now more than 186,000 DOs in the United States, a number that has tripled over the past 30 years.

Related Story: Clovis Medical School Students Celebrate First-Ever ‘Match Day’ for ...

Osteopathic Medicine to Celebrate its 150th Anniversary

Osteopathic Medicine is on the brink of celebrating its 150th anniversary next month. Dr. Hubka commemorated the legacy of Dr. Andrew Still, who founded the philosophy of osteopathic medicine in 1874. She noted Dr. Still’s revolutionary approach, stating, “to find health should be the objective of the doctor. Anyone can find disease.”

The Class of 2024 achieved a remarkable 100% residency match rate, with the new physicians set to begin their residency training programs this summer. Thirty-four percent of graduates will remain local, joining residency programs in the Central Valley, while 65% are pursuing careers in primary care, addressing critical physician shortages in this field.

Reflecting on the milestone, John Graneto, DO, Dean of the CHSU-COM, expressed pride in the graduates’ accomplishments and their commitment to serving communities. Graneto stated, “We set out on a mission to improve access to healthcare by educating and training physicians to serve the Central Valley and beyond. 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 healthcare providers.”

(Disclosure: GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi is one of the founders of California Health Sciences University in Clovis.)