Students Celebrate White Coat Milestone, Cut Ribbon on Housing Complex and More

Kimberly Ochoa Carrasco Selected as 2025 Pisacano Scholar

Congratulations to Kimberly Ochoa Carrasco, fourth-year medical student at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM), for being selected as a 2025 Pisacano Scholar. According to an inside source, Kimberly is one of ten students selected from a record number of applicants this year.

“Being selected as a Pisacano Scholar affirms my calling to family medicine. I’m grateful to the American Board of Family Medicine for its support and investment in my growth,” said Kimberly.

Read more about Kimberly's recognition and the Pisacano Scholar program.

Determination in Action: A Medical Student's Journey

When Melea Neely, a second-year medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia (PCOM South Georgia), walks into class, she carries more than textbooks and notes. She carries determination—the focus to pursue her lifelong dream of medicine and the desire to show others that their goals are within reach.

“Ever since I could talk, I've always wanted to be a doctor,” she said. “That never changed.”

Read more about Melea’s path to medical school and her perseverance.

ICOM Welcomes Largest Incoming Class, Awards Honorary White Coat

Photo: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine student doctors stand and applaud as the Class of 2028 is welcomed to the profession.

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) welcomed its largest incoming class during the college’s eighth annual White Coat Ceremony, held on Friday, September 19, 2025.

In the presence of family, friends, faculty and staff, 225 student physicians—ICOM’s largest class to date and the largest medical school class in Idaho history—were ceremonially cloaked with their first white coats. Additionally, ICOM awarded its first-ever Honorary White Coat to former Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter.

Read more about ICOM's White Coat Ceremony and honorary recipient.

Duncan, Wood Appointed to Board of Governors

Following the election of three representatives to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Board of Governors in July, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has appointed two additional members to the board that oversees the school’s operation: Dewayne Duncan and Norman Wood Jr., DO.

The new members, whose terms began August 26, 2025, replaced departing board members Thomas Cole and Todd Smith, DO, both of whom served from 2021 to 2025.

The WVSOM Board of Governors consists of nine lay members appointed by West Virginia’s governor and three elected, nonvoting advisory representatives—one each from the school’s faculty, staff and student body.

Read more about the new appointments to WVSOM’s governing board.

Ribbon Cut on Meritus Commons

Photo: Meritus Health and MSOM leaders stand outside the new student housing complex for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The housing complex for Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) students is officially open. Community leaders, elected officials and school supporters gathered Monday, September 22, 2025, to cut the ribbon on the Meritus Commons complex, as well as to reveal the names of the buildings.

“This is a naming ceremony as much as a ribbon-cutting,” said Dave Lehr, MSOM chief operating officer and Meritus Health chief strategy officer. “We are here to recognize the six people and organizations who have given their time, talent and treasure to make Meritus Commons and the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine a reality.”

Read more about the opening of Meritus Commons and the honorees.