The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) celebrated the graduation of 147 new physicians on Thursday, May 23. After four years of study, ICOM faculty hooded the new osteopathic physicians and the College’s Class of 2024 was conferred the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
“ICOM was established to address the acute and growing shortage of physicians in Idaho and other underserved areas, and we delight in the graduation of these wonderful new doctors,” said Dr. Tracy J. Farnsworth, President of ICOM.
In a packed theater at the Morrison Center in Boise, graduates gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff, to celebrate their transition into resident physicians, where they will train in their specialty of choice for at least the next three years.
“The Class of 2024 has shown great resilience in completing their medical education during the height of the pandemic,” said Dr. Kevin Wilson, Dean and Chief Academic Officer at ICOM. “Fifteen graduates will be competing their training at residency programs in Idaho and a majority of graduates will be completing primary care residencies in the specialties of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. These quality physician graduates will help serve Idaho and other underserved areas in the years to come. A special thank you to all of the physicians and health system partners who have helped trained these new physicians.”
Prior to the official hooding, commencement speaker, Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, FACP, Immediate Past Chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Board of Directors and Past President of the American Osteopathic Association, delivered the keynote address.
Following Dr. Nichols’ remarks, each new graduate was individually hooded, and symbolically transitioned from an osteopathic medical student to an osteopathic physician. Prior to the conclusion of the Hooding Ceremony, graduates recited the Osteopathic Oath, led by Tanisha Denning, DO, Associate Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practice.
While completing the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), one ICOM graduate also received a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) through the College’s partnership with Idaho State University. Additionally, 10 graduates were commissioned as officers in the United States Armed Forces.
The 147 new osteopathic physicians will begin their residencies in the coming weeks, with 52 percent pursuing primary care. In total, ICOM graduates will continue their medical training through residencies in: anesthesiology; child neurology; diagnostic radiology; emergency medicine; family medicine; general surgery; internal medicine; neurology; obstetrics and gynecology; orthopedic surgery; pathology; pediatrics; physical medicine and rehabilitation; and psychiatry.