Enrollment at osteopathic medical colleges hits new high

Fall 2014 osteopathic medical college enrollment increased by 5.2% over 2013, according to data released today by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). The rise in first-year student matriculation brings the total enrollment at osteopathic medical colleges to 24,615. Most of this growth is attributed to the opening of one new osteopathic medical school as well as two additional teaching locations, AACOM stated. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lynchburg, Virginia, drew its first class of students; while Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Dublin, Ohio; and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, of Middletown, New York, enrolled their first teaching classes this fall.

Among the key findings from AACOM’s enrollment report:

• The number of new osteopathic physicians graduating from medical colleges between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014, increased by 3.6% to 4,978.
• A total of 6,786 students began their medical education at one of 30 DO-granting medical schools, which educate students at 40 locations in 28 states.
• One-third of graduating DOs indicate they plan to specialize in family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics.
• 15% to 17% of graduating DOs plan to practice in communities with populations less than 50,000.
• One-third of graduating DOs say they plan to practice in underserved areas or those with a shortage of health professionals (both rural and urban).

Source: AACOM