Dean's Update 2023-10

October 31, 2023

College partnerships provide pathway for today’s students to become tomorrow’s osteopathic physicians

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to its mission to provide “world-class, osteopathic, student-centered graduate and medical education and research in order to foster community access to patient-centered medical care.” Just as deeply engrained in our college is our vision “to prepare physicians in the science of medicine, the art of caring and the power of touch, with a world view open to all people.”

Over the years, we have developed several pathway programs for high school and undergraduate students to not only foster their desires to become physicians serving people and communities, but also to learn more about our profession and our college. Through these pathway programs, students can connect with the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine earlier in their academic career, find mentors, become part of a community and have a better understanding of osteopathic medicine, medical school and the application process.

Some of these opportunities to learn about our college come through established partnerships with other higher education entities. As one example, we have for several years partnered with Grand Valley State University developing an early assurance program that allows qualified premedical students at Grand Valley State to receive early assurance of admission to the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Another partnership is with the University of Michigan’s Postbac MEDPREP Program. This post-baccalaureate program focuses non-traditional students aspiring to become physicians, and reserves positions in our entering classes for eligible students from the program. In fact, the first students admitted from this program recently started their first year of medical school at our college.

Most recently, we entered into an early assurance program with Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin) in Wesson, Miss. The partnership with Co-Lin was our first out-of-state formal collaboration with an educational institution.

This unique partnership was inspired by our alumnus Michael Henderson, D.O., who was a first-generation college student. While he earned his D.O. with us, here at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Henderson began his educational journey at Co-Lin, and wanted to provide similar opportunities for others. In addition, Dr. Henderson established a scholarship to assist students from the early assurance program while attending the college. Read more about the partnership here.

We are also currently finalizing another early assurance program with a partner college in Tennessee. We’ll be sharing that information in the next few weeks, so check back to learn more!

These pathways to medical school are great opportunities for students, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention programs we also offer here at Michigan State University – that are an integral part of our Pathway Programs.

The Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program (OMSP) offers MSU undergraduate students a chance to learn more about health care, osteopathic medicine and our college as they gain early exposure to clinical skills, community involvement and leadership roles. These students develop a peer network and community where they support each other, as well as opportunities to become more connected with the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine community. In addition to learning more about the college, they also are guided through the application process and those who meet (and many times exceed) requirements can waive the MCAT requirement for admissions into our college.

We also now offer the 3+4 Lyman Briggs pathway program, a program that waives the MCAT and interview process for those undergraduate MSU students who are eligible and majoring in biology at Lyman Briggs College. Through this program, Lyman Briggs students gain entry into our medical school in what would traditionally be the last year of their undergraduate education, thereby fostering a more rapid time to graduation with a medical degree, and hopefully, less debt as well.

And, we also have a collaboration with the NatSci Charles Drew Science Scholars Program, which provides mentorship for underrepresented undergraduate students in science and medicine and an opportunity to waive the MCAT requirement for admission to the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s D.O. program.

The purpose of these programs – whether within MSU or with other partners in higher education – is to educate students about osteopathic medicine while also creating a direct pathway toward entry into our osteopathic medical school. Students also receive advising and are provided opportunities for mentorship from faculty and current medical students at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, all to help them be successful in medical school.

We’re excited and proud to provide these types of collaborations and opportunities for medical students, but we also know they are beneficial for patients, and most pointedly for the state of Michigan and its residents. By providing avenues to those interested in medicine and eventually to becoming a physician, we are helping patients and communities retain not only highly qualified osteopathic physicians, but also physicians that have shared experiences with the patients they serve. The majority of our students – about 75% – stay in state to practice their profession.

Additional partnerships are always being considered as we strive to create new pathways for those “wanna-be” physicians currently hailing from diverse backgrounds and experiences who desire to join us in serving people and communities, while addressing the healthcare shortages throughout the state, the country, and internationally.

I think you can agree with me that it is invaluable to support these pathway programs, because it is invaluable to our profession to support these future physicians now.

Dean Andrea Amalfitano, D.O., Ph.D.