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MSOM NEWS:Surveys Show Meritus Medical School’s Free MCAT Boot Camp was Big Help to Aspiring Doctors
Sep 28, 2026

Surveys Show Meritus Medical School’s Free MCAT Boot Camp was Big Help to Aspiring Doctors

Participants gave program thumbs up, much appreciated meaningful support on pathway to medical school New survey data from the inaugural MCAT Boot Camp hosted this summer by the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine demonstrates the program's success in helping aspiring physicians prepare for one of the most important exams on their journey to medical school. The free, virtual boot camp, held July 13-17, attracted 205 students from 142 undergraduate institutions across the country, providing high-quality Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation and admissions guidance at no cost to participants. Newly compiled feedback from attendees shows overwhelming satisfaction with the program and highlights the growing need for accessible pathways into medical education. "The response to our first MCAT Boot Camp exceeded expectations," said Dr. Shawn White, PhD, the boot camp’s co-director. "These results reinforce that talented students are looking for meaningful support as they prepare for careers in medicine. By removing financial barriers and connecting students with experienced educators, we are helping build the next generation of physicians." White and fellow boot camp co-director Dr. Sam Kadavakollu, PhD, MSc, developed the program to expand access to MCAT preparation and help aspiring physicians navigate the medical school admissions process. The five-day program was designed to address the challenge of affordability for MCAT preparation resources. Commercial preparation courses can cost hundreds of dollars, creating barriers for many students pursuing careers in healthcare. The Meritus boot camp offered an alternative, bringing together medical educators and subject matter experts to provide intensive instruction in key exam topics. Participants attended 27 educational sessions covering topics such as biology, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, genetics, behavioral sciences and critical analysis skills, among others. Students also received guidance on medical school admissions, application strategies and interview preparation, while engaging directly with current medical students during question-and-answer sessions. Program participants submitted more than 1,100 session evaluations, resulting in 1,107 ratings identifying sessions as beneficial and only 15 ratings indicating content was irrelevant. In addition, 46 of 47 survey respondents said they would recommend the program to other students preparing for the MCAT. The boot camp attracted students actively preparing for upcoming MCAT administrations. Of the 205 registrants, 64 planned to take the exam during the summer. For Meritus leaders, the results underscore the school's broader mission to expand educational opportunities and strengthen the future physician workforce. As a community-focused medical school, the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine aims to support students at every stage of their journey into medicine while helping address physician shortages in Maryland and beyond.

MSOM NEWS:Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine chosen for national medical education program
Aug 17, 2026

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine chosen for national medical education program

MSOM is one of 17 schools chosen to help improve how future doctors' clinical skills are assessed. The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) has been selected by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) to take part in the Core Competency Capstone for Osteopathic Medicine (C3DO) program beginning in 2028. MSOM is one of a select group of osteopathic medical schools chosen to help improve how future doctors' clinical skills are assessed. C3DO is a national program that measures important skills needed by osteopathic physicians. The assessment looks at patient communication, medical history-taking, physical examination skills, osteopathic clinical reasoning, professionalism and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). MSOM's participation will allow the school to work with other osteopathic medical schools across the country to strengthen medical education and help ensure students are ready to care for patients when they enter residency training. More than 4,000 students have already participated in the C3DO initiative, which currently includes 17 colleges of osteopathic medicine serving as pilot sites. “We are proud that MSOM has been selected to join this important national effort,” said Samuel Kadavakollu, Ph.D., MSc, associate dean of academic affairs and professor at MSOM. “This opportunity reflects our commitment to providing outstanding medical education and preparing students to become skilled, compassionate physicians. We look forward to working with other schools across the country to improve clinical skills assessment and support the next generation of osteopathic doctors.” MSOM's selection highlights the school's dedication to excellence, innovation, and student success. The school also recognizes Raena Pettitt, D.O., CHSE, for her leadership and hard work in preparing and submitting the successful application. By participating in C3DO, MSOM will help shape the future of osteopathic medical education while continuing its mission to train physicians who provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

MSOM NEWS:Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine joins nutrition education initiative
Mar 6, 2026

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine joins nutrition education initiative

MSOM is one of more than 50 medical schools across 31 states to participate in the U.S. Health and Human Services partnership. The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is joining more than 50 medical schools across the country in a U.S. Health and Human Services initiative to teach nutrition education. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the partnership Thursday during a news conference in Washington, D.C. Brian Kessler, DO, dean of MSOM, and Maulik Joshi, DrPH, president and CEO of Meritus Health, were in attendance. The goal is to better train physicians when it comes to nutrition by requiring every medical student to complete at least 40 hours of comprehensive nutrition education or competency equivalent before graduating, Kennedy said. That’s no problem for MSOM, Dr. Kessler said after the announcement. “Nutrition, wellness and medical education all come together at MSOM,” he said. “Nutrition education is woven throughout our medical training. We provide hands-on learning in patient care settings and we participate in Meritus Health programs that address food insecurity and health.” One of those programs is the Meritus Food Farmacy, which recently received a Best Practice Spotlight in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The program provides food as medicine to those in need based on their health conditions and socioeconomic circumstances. “We look forward to working with the other schools that are leading this work,” Dr. Kessler said. To learn more about MSOM’s nutrition education, visit www.msom.org/nutrition.

MSOM NEWS:MSOM awarded $1.1 million grant from AMA to advance precision medical education
Jan 13, 2026

MSOM awarded $1.1 million grant from AMA to advance precision medical education

The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine has been selected as one of 11 teams to receive funding from the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program, a $12 million investment by the AMA to advance physician training through personalized learning and advanced technology. MSOM will receive $1.1 million over four years to fund its project, “Opening the Doors with the Right Education for the Right Student at the Right Time: The Continuum of Precision Education in Maryland's Newest Medical School.” Chosen from nearly 200 applicants, MSOM distinguished itself as an innovator and leader in precision education, advancing efforts to strengthen the physician workforce and support high-quality patient care. It is also the only school of osteopathic medicine among the grant recipients. Precision education models use data and technology, including augmented intelligence (AI), to tailor learning to each learner’s needs. These models help medical students and physicians focus on developing the skills and competencies that matter most in diagnosing, communicating and caring for patients. MSOM is the first new nonmilitary medical school in Maryland in more than a century. With the inaugural class having started in July 2025, this institution has the unique opportunity to implement an approach of personalized educational goals, educational plan implementation, feedback and adaptation from day one of opening its doors to students. MSOM learner profiles are diverse, with a wide range of educational, experience and demographic backgrounds. MSOM proposes evaluating how specific precision education strategies aid in the identification and remediation of educational gaps in students with diverse learning profiles and backgrounds. With pre-clinical and clinical undergraduate medical education and graduate medical education housed within the same system, faculty can identify gaps and provide support through the continuum of medical education. Faculty, residents and program directors contribute to educational success, residency match and patient outcomes. “Being selected for the AMA’s Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant affirms Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine’s commitment to reimagining medical education from the ground up,” said Audrey Vasauskas, PhD, MSOM principal investigator for the project. “Our dedicated team will use data, technology and human insight to meet learners where they are, address gaps early, and support their growth across the full continuum of medical training. The goal is to strengthen the physician workforce and create physicians who will be socially responsible, professionally accomplished and community-oriented.” “Technology and AI have the potential to reshape how physicians learn, practice and care for their patients, and these grants will help bring that potential to life,” said AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH. “As new tools emerge, we have an opportunity to build learning environments that are more engaging, more adaptable and better aligned with the realities of practicing medicine. Our goal is to ensure that innovation strengthens the physician experience and creates a future where every physician is fully equipped to meet the needs of patients.” The AMA’s investment across 11 team projects will expand access to cutting-edge technology and systems that make learning more efficient, effective, and focused on optimal patient care. The Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program was developed with national experts in augmented intelligence, assessment, and medical education and follows more than a decade of AMA leadership through its ChangeMedEd® Initiative, which has invested nearly $50 million in reimagining medical education. Learn more about the new precision education grant program.

MSOM NEWS:MSOM scholarships funded by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield grant
Oct 27, 2025

MSOM scholarships funded by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield grant

$400,000 will fund four partial scholarships at the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2026-2027. The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine announced that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has awarded the school a $400,000 grant to support student scholarships. The Long-Term Programmatic grant will provide $100,000 annually through 2027, funding four partial scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on merit, including academic performance and MCAT scores. “Meritus Health’s goal in creating the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is to fill the need for physicians in our region and across the state,” said Brian Kessler, D.O., dean of MSOM. “Studies show that physicians tend to set up practice within 100 miles of where they’ve trained, so these scholarships provided by CareFirst are helping us meet our goal.” “Education is a powerful tool and a significant driver of better health outcomes,” said Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Head of Public Health at CareFirst. “By partnering with Meritus, we’re investing in the next generation of clinical professionals to meet the growing need for physicians across our region and state. Many of these students will bring their knowledge and passion back to our communities — contributing to a stronger, more responsive healthcare system.” MSOM welcomed its inaugural class of more than 90 students, the class of 2029, in July. Future classes will number 180 students, meaning there will be 720 future doctors enrolled when MSOM is at capacity. Students are instructed by experienced and well-trained professors in the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall on the Meritus Health campus near Hagerstown. In addition, students are housed in one- and two-bedroom units in the Meritus Commons housing complex, adjacent to the campus.

MSOM NEWS:MSOM partners with the University of Maryland to streamline the path to becoming a physician
Oct 6, 2025

MSOM partners with the University of Maryland to streamline the path to becoming a physician

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Pathways Program reflects the school’s commitment to removing barriers to becoming a doctor. The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine and the University of Maryland have partnered to make it easier for qualified students and alumni to become physicians. The university is one of six schools to participate in the MSOM guaranteed interview Pathways Program. “Qualified students at partner institutions benefit from the program directly by getting a guaranteed interview for MSOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program,” said Chanté Richardson, PhD, MBA, Associate Dean of Student Services and Community Engagement at MSOM. "Beyond the guaranteed interview, students will gain early access to valuable pre-medical resources, including MCAT preparation workshops, D.O. student shadowing opportunities, and other MSOM-sponsored pre-admission activities designed to support students on their journey to medical school," she said. The program aims to prepare physicians to care for real communities, particularly those that need it most. "The mission of the MSOM is to train physicians who will be socially responsible, professionally accomplished, and community-oriented," Richardson said. "We are thrilled to launch this partnership, especially as 15 percent of MSOM’s inaugural class are University of Maryland alumni. This collaboration reflects MSOM’s commitment to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for promising future physicians." “We are excited that the first osteopathic medical school in Maryland matriculated its inaugural class. We look forward to working closely with the admissions team at Meritus to secure MCAT mentorship, clinical shadowing, and guaranteed interviews for Terps pursuing the D.O. path,” said Wendy Loughlin, Assistant Dean and Director of UMD’s Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office. The MSOM Pathways Program is currently available to undergrads and recent alumni at the University of Maryland, Frostburg State University, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Samuel Merritt University, Shepherd University and Susquehanna University. Eligible students at partner institutions must: Be currently enrolled at or have graduated within the last two years from the partner institution at the time of application. Be in good academic, professional, and disciplinary standing at the partner institution. Meet minimum academic requirements set by MSOM (including coursework, GPA, and MCAT expectations). Receive a strong letter of recommendation from the partner institution. To learn more about the Pathways program, visit www.MSOM.org/Pathways.

MSOM NEWS:Ribbon cut on Meritus Commons
Sep 23, 2025

Ribbon cut on Meritus Commons

Complex provides housing for students at Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. The housing complex for Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine students is officially open. Community leaders, elected officials and school supporters gathered Monday, Sept. 22, 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.” Buildings in the complex will be named for: The Rev. Dr. Stuart Dunnan, chair of the MSOM board of directors The Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Howard “Blackie” Bowen Chintamaneni Choudari, M.D., a member of the MSOM board James Stojak, chair of the Meritus Health board of directors Middletown Valley Bank Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney were among the speakers at the event who noted the steps Meritus Health took to provide housing for its new students, given the limited housing resources in Washington County. “Here in Hagerstown, you go big or you go home,” Miller said. “And with this medical school and this student housing, Meritus is definitely going big.” They also remarked on how MSOM is addressing the need for more physicians in Maryland and across the country. “This is a model for the whole country,” Delaney said. “You are setting the example for how we are going to find more doctors for our rural communities.” In addition, there are benefits to MSOM students, such as on-campus housing that allows them to walk to the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall, physician practices in Robinwood Professional Center and Meritus Medical Center. The on-campus housing also means MSOM students are spending their money in Maryland and not neighboring states. But most importantly, the students will become part of a rural community and develop relationships that will result in them practicing in our community or another rural community in Maryland. The $90 million complex includes 340 one- and two-bedroom student apartments, a clubhouse, commons area, pickleball and basketball courts and dog park. There are almost 90 students living on campus. As has been noted by many, Maryland has a housing crisis characterized by the availability of affordable housing, and Meritus leaned in and built housing to support the medical students. The housing complex supports MSOM, which was created to help alleviate the shortage of physicians locally and nationally. The school welcomed its first class of more than 90 students this summer, and future classes at MSOM will number 180 students each. To learn more about Meritus Commons, visit https://commons.msom.org.

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