CHSU-COM Enrolls Largest Cohort of Future Physicians

It was a historic moment at California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) when the university welcomed its newest and largest cohort, the Class of 2026, to campus during orientation week in July. With the third cohort, over 350 medical students are currently attending CHSU-COM.

“There is an incredible energy on our campus this year, which marks the first time we can enroll our approved maximum class of medical students,” said John Graneto, DO, MEd, Dean of CHSU-COM.

During the competitive 2021-2022 admissions cycle, over 3,800 candidates applied and nearly 700 applicants were interviewed. Candidates were carefully selected based on their interview and overall portfolio, including MCAT scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and completion of pre-requisite courses.

Roughly 30% of this year’s cohort are from the Central Valley and about 90% are from California. CHSU hopes most of these first-year medical students will complete residencies locally and practice in the region to bridge the gap between the physician deficit and access to adequate healthcare.

For some, starting their first year of medical school marked a significant milestone in their own personal health journeys, bringing them one step closer in their pursuit of becoming a physician.

Kimberly Ochoa, first-year medical student, shared in an interview with ABC30 Action News, how the passing of her father from an unexpected heart attack revealed the health inequities in her community and strengthened her resolve to become a physician.

Amber Ali, first-year medical student, told The Business Journal that her decision to pursue medicine started with her own poor experience with pediatricians who were unable to quickly diagnose her ailment, and her resolve was further solidified after her late mother was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, but the original oncology team didn’t figure out what type of cancer it was.

For others like Caruthers native and first year medical student, Ranvir Singh Johal, beginning medical school means coming back home to train and become a physician that will help his hometown community. Johal told GV Wire that coming to CHSU is allowing him to live again with his family on their Caruthers-area farm and help his family. He’s looking forward to the day when he can help his parents with their health questions.

During orientation week, the incoming class of 2026 set foot onto the Alluvial campus and enjoyed a week of scheduled activities, ice breakers to meet classmates, lunches provided by Clovis businesses, and panel discussions that prepared them for their first year of medical school.

CHSU-COM plans to hold a White Coat Ceremony for the first-year medical students on October 1, 2022, to symbolize their entrance into the medical profession.

Thank you to the local media for supporting CHSU’s mission to improve health care outcomes in the Central Valley by telling the stories of some of our incoming students.