Samuel Merritt University Announces Participation in the CHSU Future DOctors PRogram For Its MBS Students

The California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine is proud to partner with Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and other colleges and universities in the Central Valley to help address the shortage of physicians in our region.

Samuel Merritt University recently announced its participation in the CHSU Future DOctors Program, which offers guaranteed interview opportunities to SMU students in its Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) program who meet specific academic and admissions requirements.

A key component of the agreement is a focus on service. To qualify, SMU students must complete at least 50 hours of volunteering, clinical shadowing or community-based work, a reflection of both institutions’ shared belief that engaging with patients and communities early in training creates a deeper understanding of the human side of medicine.

“We are proud to partner with Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and other colleges and universities in the Central Valley to help address the shortage of physicians in our region,”

John Graneto, DO, M.Ed., Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Since 1909, Samuel Merritt University (SMU) has been a leader in healthcare education, preparing students to meet critical workforce needs across California. With campuses in Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula and Fresno, SMU has continually expanded its impact, becoming a doctoral-granting institution in 2002. In 2024, SMU opened its Fresno campus to address Central Valley healthcare challenges. The new City Center Campus in downtown Oakland will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a Health Sciences Simulation Center and a Motion Analysis Research Center, reinforcing SMU’s commitment to training compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals.

“This partnership is a reflection of SMU’s commitment to opening doors for aspiring medical professionals and addressing California’s growing need for healthcare providers. By pairing academic excellence with substantial service experiences, we’re helping students from diverse backgrounds turn their passion for healing into careers that serve and are shaped by the communities around them.”

Sathees Chandra, PhD, Dean of the SMU College of Health Sciences

Read more about the SMU and CHSU partnership on the SMU website: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/news/smu-partners-california-health-sciences-university-college-osteopathic-medicine-expand-medical

To learn more about the CHSU Future DOctors Program, visit the CHSU website: https://osteopathic.chsu.edu/admissions/#future-doctor-program