Orlando schools collaborate to develop physicians

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 11, 2023 — AdventHealth University and the soon-to-open Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine announce a partnership that will keep more physicians in our community.
 
OCOM is being built at 7011 Kiran Patel Drive in Winter Garden, in the Horizon West neighborhood. The first class of 90 students is expected to matriculate in August 2024. AdventHealth University, established in 1992, offers dozens of healthcare degrees and certificates, including two pre-med tracks: a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.
 
Through this new relationship, AdventHealth University students and alumni in one of these two degree programs will be guaranteed interviews for admission into the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition, OCOM students will rotate through various specialties at AdventHealth hospitals, beginning in 2026. Several AdventHealth physaicians also serve as OCOM faculty.
 
“We are thrilled to partner with the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said C. Josef Ghosn, Ed.D, FACHE, president and CEO of AdventHealth University. “This partnership creates valuable pathways for our graduates to grow and succeed in the field of medicine.”
 
At full enrollment, OCOM plans to have 180 students, providing a viable workforce pipeline for the national and local physician labor shortage.
 
"OCOM is going to change healthcare for the region for generations to come," stated Dr. Robert Hasty, founding dean and chief academic officer of OCOM. "With an innovative medical school curriculum meticulously crafted by our esteemed faculty, our institution stands at the forefront of modern medical education. The educational journey that awaits our future medical students promises to be transformative. They will enter from esteemed schools like AdventHealth University and emerge as highly proficient and caring physicians, expected to fulfill the physician shortage within the Central Florida community.”
 
Students can apply to OCOM here.
 
 
About AdventHealth University
 
AdventHealth University (AHU) is a leader in healthcare education, transforming the science and practice of whole-person care and developing professionals with uncommon compassion. The University seeks to develop skilled professionals who live the healing values of Christ and works in collaboration with AdventHealth to effectively extend His healing ministry.
 
AHU offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs, including Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Sciences, Medical Lab Sciences, Nurse Anesthesia, Occupational Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, Healthcare Administration, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Spiritual Care and Radiologic Technology.
 
About Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine
 
The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) is a freestanding, privately funded, separately licensed, and independently operated entity located in Winter Garden, FL. OCOM is a unit of the Orlando Health Science University (OHSU), provisionally licensed by the Florida Commission on Independent Education.