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Students Celebrate Graduation, Train with Simulated Patients and More

Published June 10, 2026

Campus Roundup Inside OME

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Honors 197 New Physicians at 2026 Commencement Ceremony

Student leaders in academic regalia stand on stage during a Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2026 white coat or milestone ceremony. Photo: Members of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine's Class of 2026 co-valedictorian group deliver remarks during commencement.

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) at Midwestern University celebrated the graduation of 197 new osteopathic physicians during its 2026 commencement ceremony held May 29, 2026, on the Downers Grove Campus.

The ceremony featured remarks from Midwestern University President and CEO Joshua C. Baker, OD, MS, and CCOM Dean Thomas A. Boyle, DO, MBA, FACOEP, FACEP, along with reflections from faculty and seven student co-valedictorians—each earning a perfect 4.0 GPA, a first in the college’s history. In his remarks, Dr. Boyle highlighted the class’s 97.8 percent residency match rate, with graduates matching into programs in 31 states and nearly half remaining in Illinois for residency training.

Members of the Class of 2026 matched into a wide range of specialties, including internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, radiology, surgery, anesthesiology, psychiatry, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, dermatology, ophthalmology and urology. Seven graduates will enter military residency programs.

Student speakers reflected on the challenges and growth experienced throughout medical school, emphasizing resilience, compassion, humility and lifelong learning. “Medicine is not simply the pursuit of knowledge. It is the responsibility of what we do with that knowledge,” said Kajal Patel, DO, one of the seven co-valedictorians representing the class.

Read more about CCOM’s 2026 commencement ceremony.

Kansas City University Simulated Patient Program Earns ASPE Accreditation

A student physician speaks with a patient during a clinical appointment in an examination room. Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) has earned full accreditation in human simulation from the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE), marking a significant milestone for SIMPACT, the university’s simulation department, and recognizing excellence in simulated patient–based medical education.

This accreditation affirms the delivery of high-quality, immersive clinical training experiences that prepare students for compassionate, patient-centered care. ASPE accreditation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate adherence to rigorous standards in simulated patient methodology and the intentional integration of human simulation across health professions education. The process includes a comprehensive review of program governance, training protocols, assessment practices, safety standards and continuous quality improvement.

Read more about KCU-COM’s ASPE accreditation.

WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest Commencement: Healers Who Believe in Humanity

Graduates in academic regalia walk through a procession line while faculty and guests applaud during a commencement celebration. Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (WesternU COMP-Northwest), which is transitioning to its new name, the Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine, held its commencement ceremony on May 15, 2026.

The college celebrated 101 graduates, including Davis Mendel, DO. Dr. Mendel, nominated by his peers, served as the graduate speaker at commencement. He served as president of the Student Government Association and contributed to numerous university and college committees. During his speech, Dr. Mendel recognized the diverse group of individuals who make up the Class of 2026, including artists, travelers, firefighters, poets and more.

“Here sit humans who believe in humanity. Individuals who decided to pay emotionally, physically, and certainly financially for the opportunity to give back to their communities and become healers,” said Dr. Mendel.

WesternU COMP Commencement 2026: Sacrifice Transformed into Opportunity

A graduate wearing honor cords and a ceremonial stole smiles during a graduation recognition event alongside university leaders and faculty members. Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU COMP) celebrated 224 graduates at its commencement ceremony May 20, 2026, in Pomona, California.

The WesternU COMP Class of 2026 selected Esmeralda Santos-Guadalupe, DO, to serve as their graduate speaker. She provided an inspirational and beautiful testament to the power of family, love and sacrifice.

Throughout her time in medical school, in moments of doubt when she wanted to give up, Dr. Santos-Guadalupe said she thought about her father, who works on rooftops in 100-degree weather, while she studied in an air-conditioned room. And she thought about her mom, who was denied access to education because her grandfather did not believe education was for women.

“My immigrant parents have been silently carrying this dream for 28 years, sacrificing and believing in a future they could not have for themselves so that I can stand here today,” she said.

TouroCOM Harlem Celebrates New Class of Osteopathic Physicians at Lincoln Center

Graduating osteopathic medical students and faculty pose for a class photo on outdoor steps in front of an urban campus building. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Harlem (TouroCOM Harlem) graduated its 15th class of doctors of osteopathic medicine at jubilant ceremonies attended by faculty, administration, family and friends on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.

After a warm opening by Master of Ceremonies Nadege Dady, EdD, the graduates were led in procession by a bagpiper and a color guard unit, followed by a rendition of the national anthem from international operatic soprano Celsea Bonagura; a military commissioning of two graduates; and an invocation by Executive Vice President and University Ombudsman Rabbi Moshe Krupka, MS.

Patricia Salkin, JD, PhD, senior vice president, academic affairs and provost of the graduate and professional divisions, provided opening remarks, congratulating the Class of 2026 on behalf of President Alan Kadish, MD, and Touro leadership.

TouroCOM Middletown Celebrates Class of 2026 at Ninth Commencement

Members of the graduating class and faculty gather outside a theater for a formal class photo in academic regalia. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Middletown (TouroCOM Middletown) held joyous ninth commencement ceremonies Monday, June 1, 2026, for the graduating Class of 2026 at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, New York, surrounded by proud family, friends, faculty and administration.

Following a processional, Color Guard and Pledge of Allegiance led by military students and their commissioning, Touro University Executive Vice President Rabbi Krupka delivered a heartfelt invocation followed by entertainment by the American Jewish band Pey Dalid.

Patricia Salkin, JD, PhD, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, graduate and professional division, provided a warm welcome from Touro leadership and spoke of the mission of TouroCOM and that of Touro University—both of which are rooted in expanding access to education and serving the underserved.

Raffle Raises $12K for Scholarship in Honor of Late Professor

Representatives of the WVSOM Alumni Association present a scholarship award check during a recognition ceremony. What began as a tribute to a former faculty member of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) resulted in a $12,000 expansion of a scholarship designed to encourage graduates to practice in regions experiencing a physician shortage.

A raffle hosted by the WVSOM Alumni Association raised funds for the Drs. John and Nancy Chambers Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students with a strong academic performance who intend to practice in a medically underserved community. The late John Chambers, PhD, was a professor of pharmacology who joined WVSOM in 1976 and taught at the school for 21 years before retiring in 1997. His wife, Nancy Chambers, PhD, was also a WVSOM professor.

The raffle was created by Pat Bauserman, WVSOM’s longtime photojournalist who retired in 2022. Pat, an honorary member of the WVSOM Alumni Association, donated a wormy chestnut box handcrafted by John Chambers as part of the prize, which also included a resort stay on the Caribbean island of Antigua among many other items.

Local Schools Build Valley Physician Pipeline

Medical students seated in academic regalia listen attentively during a commencement ceremony. Photo: California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) Class of 2026 graduates at commencement

California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) was featured in The Business Journal on June 5, 2026. CHSU-COM and University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Fresno expanded training programs to address regional physician shortages.

Valley healthcare leaders are increasingly focused on a long-term solution to persistent physician shortages, training doctors locally and encouraging them to build careers in the region. California Health Sciences University in Clovis, California, and UCSF Fresno are tackling the challenge from different stages of the medical education process, but both are working toward the same goal: expanding the Valley's physician pipeline.