News & Updates

DISCOVER MORE

Search the News

All Years

29 results

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.

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.

Sep 29, 2025

MSOM dean named vice chairman of Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation

Dr. Brian Kessler is also chief academic officer of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. The dean of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) was recently named the vice chairman of the commission that oversees accreditation standards and procedures for colleges of osteopathic medicine. Brian Kessler, D.O., FACOFP, was recently named to the position on the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), part of the American Osteopathic Association. “I am honored and privileged to hold this title on the commission recognized by U.S. Department of Education as the accreditor of colleges of osteopathic medicine,” Kessler said. “It is very meaningful to help oversee and guide the process of organizations dedicated to training future physicians in osteopathic medicine in our country.” COCA accreditation signifies that a college has met or exceeded the commission’s standards for educational quality. The American Osteopathic Association represents more than 197,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students across the United States. To learn more about COCA, visit osteopathic.org/accreditation. To learn more about MSOM, visit MSOM.org.

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.

Sep 8, 2025

Maryland Physicians Care supports Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine Scholarships

MPC provided $624,000 grant to address critical physician shortage. Maryland Physicians Care (MPC) provided a grant to fund scholarships at the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. “MPC, a local Medicaid-managed care organization owned by Meritus Health, Ascension Saint Agnes, Holy Cross Health, and UPMC Western Maryland, gave $624,000 to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce to establish scholarships for six students,” said MPC President and CEO Jason Rottman. Each student will receive $26,000 per year for four years, totaling $104,000 each. “MPC recognizes the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in our state and actively seeks ways to alleviate that issue,” Rottman said. “This scholarship grant will financially assist in the education of six new doctors, directly adding resources to our healthcare community. We hope these new physicians will not only stay in Maryland but will choose to stay in the underserved rural community where they were trained.” MPC works to improve health outcomes by addressing the factors that impact its members’ well-being and providers’ effectiveness. Addressing rising physician shortages (predicted to reach 86,000 fewer physicians than needed nationally by 2036) is just one of the goals. MPC has also provided funding to many organizations throughout Maryland to addresses non-medical factors such as food insecurity, transportation and housing. This includes partnering to provide non-emergent medical transportation for patients in need, supplying food for needy families and, in several locations, delivering that food to those with limited transportation. To learn more about MSOM, visit msom.org. To learn more about MPC, visit marylandphysicianscare.com.

Sep 3, 2025

MSOM Student Garry “Tony” Graham II Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board

Garry “Tony” Graham II (OMS-I) has been appointed to the Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians (MAOP) Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term. The advisory board is a dedicated group of students committed to advancing medical education, advocacy, and professional development. The board plays a pivotal role in shaping MAOP initiatives by providing valuable insights, leadership, and fresh ideas from a student’s perspective. Advisory board members’ contributions help ensure programs remain innovative, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of osteopathic physicians in training.

Sep 2, 2025

Community spirit: MSOM student gets full scholarship

The Meritus Auxiliary Regional Scholars Program covers tuition for Hagerstown resident. Isaiah Stevens, a member of the inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, said the school’s focus on service resonated with him. “I really believe in the mission of the school, which has a big emphasis on community,” said the Washington state native who has lived in Hagerstown with his wife, Leigha, for the past three years. “Volunteerism is built into the curriculum. They teach students to be mindful of community service.” So, it’s fitting he received the Meritus Auxiliary Regional Scholars Program scholarship to attend MSOM. The scholarship, paid for by the all-volunteer organization, covers full tuition over four years totaling $220,000 for one student. “It’s a very big honor to receive something like this from people who do what they do without expectation of money in return,” he said. “They are the kind of people I’d like to be.” Isaiah’s scholarship is one of 14 awarded to students in MSOM’s inaugural class. Many of the scholarships are structured as forgivable loans, requiring students to work for Meritus Health for a period of time after graduation. Funding for the scholarships comes from health system leaders, physicians and the community. The scholarships total more than $1.4 million over four years. In addition to the auxiliary scholarship, other scholarships and recipients include: Meritus Health Scholars Program Three scholarships of $25,000 for each of four years for a total of $100,000 per recipient. Recipients: Anjali Sodhi of Ellicott City, Maryland; Calvin Suoto of Mickleton, New Jersey; John Knight of Bealeton, Virginia Donor: This scholarship was established by Meritus Health, which wants to ensure that the community thrives by bringing the best and brightest future physicians to our region. Meritus President's Scholarship Awarded to one student in the inaugural MSOM class. The scholarship award will be $25,000 a year for four years for a total of $100,000. Recipient: Nashat Zaman of Goleta, California Donor: This scholarship was funded by the MSOM president and family. Meritus Leaders Scholarship Awarded to one student in the inaugural MSOM class. The scholarship award will be $25,000 per year for four years for a total of $100,000. Recipient: Zachary Appel of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Donor: This scholarship was funded by donations from Meritus senior leaders. Meritus Physicians' Scholarship Awarded to one student in the inaugural MSOM class. The scholarship award will be $25,000 per year for four years for a total of $100,000. Recipient: Michal Zaniewski of Staten Island, New York Donor: This scholarship was funded by donations from Meritus physicians. Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Five scholarships of $26,000 for each of four years for a total of $104,000 over four years. Recipients: Caleb Bean of Windber, Pennsylvania; Jocelyn Chen of Boyds, Maryland; Jose Ildefonso Flores of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Neeraj Kumar of California, Maryland; Ian Roe of Ellicott City, Maryland Donor: These scholarships were made possible by the generosity of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce which received a grant from Maryland Physicians Care to establish the program. Meritus Health Scholarship Two scholarships from Meritus Health awarded to exceptional students. Award amounts are determined by the scholarship committee. Recipients: Brenna Posner of Bethesda, Maryland, $5,000; Rishabh Saha of Rockville, Maryland, $10,000

Aug 25, 2025

MSOM Student Archita Padmanabhan Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board

Archita Padmanabhan (OMS-I) has been appointed to the Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians (MAOP) Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term. The advisory board is a dedicated group of students committed to advancing medical education, advocacy, and professional development. The board plays a pivotal role in shaping MAOP initiatives by providing valuable insights, leadership, and fresh ideas from a student’s perspective. Advisory board members’ contributions help ensure programs remain innovative, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of osteopathic physicians in training.

Aug 21, 2025

MSOM Student Lavinia Harrison Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board

Lavinia Harrison (OMS-I) has been appointed to the Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians (MAOP) Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term. The advisory board is a dedicated group of students committed to advancing medical education, advocacy, and professional development. The board plays a pivotal role in shaping MAOP initiatives by providing valuable insights, leadership, and fresh ideas from a student’s perspective. Advisory board members’ contributions help ensure programs remain innovative, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of osteopathic physicians in training.

Jul 28, 2025

MSOM students receive white coats, mark milestone

Inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine participates in tradition symbolizing start of their journey to becoming a physician. HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Members of the inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine marked a milestone Friday, receiving their white medical coats symbolizing their start on the journey to becoming doctors of osteopathic medicine. The ceremony, the culmination of a week of orientation for the students, is a tradition for medical students. “This ceremony is not only a rite of passage, but also a visible reminder of the responsibility our students are about to embrace,” said Chanté Richardson, Ph.D., MBA, associate dean of student services and community engagement. The class of 97 students were joined by hundreds of family and friends who filled the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Conference Center in the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall. “I know we all got here because someone helped us,” said Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., president of the medical school. “Be it a parent, a family member, a friend, a spouse, a teacher, a physician. And that help is going to continue on your journey here at MSOM.” He noted that the students, being the first class of the new medical school, would have upon their graduation the privilege of signing a steel beam that was signed by Meritus staff and community members when the academic hall was constructed. “As the inaugural class, you're the foundation for the future,” he said. “That steel beam represents the foundation of the academic building, just as all of you represent the foundation of this medical school.” The beam is on display in the school lobby. Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services, presented a state flag that flew atop the Maryland State House in Annapolis. He noted that the state and nation is in desperate need of physicians. In fact, there will be a projected shortage of 124,000 physicians in the United States by 2030. There is a shortage of roughly 50 physicians just in Washington County, Md. MSOM was built to help solve the shortage crisis locally and in Maryland. It’s the first civilian medical school to open its doors in the state in more than 100 years. “There is a reason the governor chose to fly this flag on July 4,” Chaudhry said. “July 4 is symbolic, not only of the birth of our nation, but also of growth and prosperity. And that is just like here today, it’s a symbol of a new beginning.” Meena Seshamani, M.D., Ph.D., the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, congratulated the students on their achievement and what they are about to become. “The journey you all are about to embark on will allow you to challenge yourselves, to grow professionally and personally, and you’ll support each other,” she said. “You're going to be able to help this health system and this school to grow.” Dr. Seshamani noted the importance of the students being part of the first class. “You all will be the epitome of what it means to practice holistic care,” she said. “It will be your faces, hands and brains driving all of that forward, not only for the state of Maryland, but also for the country.” Brian Kessler, D.O., dean of MSOM, encouraged the students to take to heart what they will learn. “Go out and change lives,” he said. To learn more about the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, visit msom.org.

Jun 3, 2025

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine offers 15 scholarships to incoming students

Financial awards for inaugural class total more than $1.6 million. HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) will offer more than $1.6 million in scholarships to 15 students in its first class over the next four years. That includes one full scholarship; the remainder are partial scholarships. The inaugural class of 90 students is due to fill the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall in July. Funding for the scholarships comes from Meritus Health, its leaders and physicians, and its volunteers, as well as the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. “We are extraordinarily proud of our health system and business community for stepping up to help our students,” said MSOM President Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H. “This group of bright and dedicated young people will be able to focus less on finances and more on training to become physicians who will be socially responsible, professionally accomplished and community oriented.” Some of the scholarships are standard grants awarded annually based on merit and/or financial need and contingent upon students maintaining high performance. However, many are structured as forgivable loans, requiring students to work for the health system for a period of time after graduation. The Meritus Medical Center Auxiliary established the first scholarship in MSOM’s history, the Meritus Auxiliary Regional Scholars Program. The scholarship covers full tuition over four years totaling $220,000 for one student. Auxiliary President Gerry Philp said the school’s mission to educate more physicians and keep them in this region aligned with the Auxiliary’s mission of supporting the activities of Meritus Medical Center. “We thought this was a very good cause,” he said. “We had given money to the school in the capital campaign, and we wanted to see it successful, so we thought it would be good to do a full scholarship versus a partial, and we had the funds available to commit.” Other scholarships and donors include: Meritus Health Scholars Program Four scholarships of $25,000 for each of four years for a total of $100,000 per recipient. Donor: This scholarship was established by Meritus Health, which wants to ensure that the community thrives by bringing the best and brightest future physicians to our region. Meritus President's Scholarship Awarded to one student in the inaugural MSOM class. The scholarship award will be $25,000 a year for four years for a total of $100,000. Donor: This scholarship was funded by the MSOM president. Meritus Leaders Scholarship Awarded to one student in the inaugural MSOM class. The scholarship award will be $25,000 per year for four years for a total of $100,000 Donor: This scholarship was funded by donations from Meritus senior leaders. Meritus Physicians' Scholarship Awarded to two students in the inaugural MSOM class. The scholarship award will be $25,000 per year for four years for a total of $100,000 each. Donor: This scholarship was funded by donations from Meritus physicians. Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Six scholarships of $26,000 for each of four years for a total of $104,000 over four years. Donor: These scholarships were made possible by the generosity of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce which received a grant from Maryland Physicians Care to establish the program. ### Meritus Health, Western Maryland’s largest health care provider, is located at the crossroads of Western Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The mission of Meritus Health is to improve the health of the region by providing the best healthcare, health services and medical education. As an anchor organization for the community, Meritus has 4,000 employees and serves more than 200,000 residents of the tristate region through Meritus Medical Center, Brook Lane Health Services, Meritus Medical Group, Meritus Home Health, Meritus Equipped for Life, and the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. More information can be found at www.MeritusHealth.com or visit our Facebook page or LinkedIn page.

May 30, 2025

MSOM Faculty Publish Breakthrough Research on Alzheimer’s Disease in Biomolecules Journal

The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) proudly announces that Dr. Venkata Atluri and Dr. Samuel Kadavakollu have published a significant research article in the peer-reviewed journal Biomolecules. The article, titled "Inflammasome-Mediated Neuroinflammation: A Key Driver in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis," explores the critical role of inflammasomes in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Their study sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms behind neuroinflammation and its contribution to Alzheimer’s, potentially paving the way for targeted therapies aimed at mitigating disease progression. The publication reflects the growing recognition of MSOM faculty for their impactful contributions to neurodegenerative disease research. Read the complete article by visiting: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/676

Admissions

Financial Aid

Academics

Campus

Team

About