MERIDIAN, Idaho — The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed its 3rd class of student doctors Monday for the 2020-2021 school year.
The newest class is made up of 162 students from across the country, including 33 Idaho residents. The university, founded in 2016, serves as Idaho's first and only locally-based medical school. The local university has played a critical role in filling a physician shortage in the state. Idaho ranks 49th nationwide for number of physicians per capita and 45th for primary care physicians, according to ICOM.
“We could not be more pleased with the quality and overall preparation of these young student doctors—most of whom have worked and prepared their entire lives for the opportunity to study and learn the art and science medicine,” Dr. Tracy J. Farnsworth, ICOM President, said in a news release.
The university resumed instruction for the 2020-2021 academic year beginning Aug. 3, with a mix of in-person and online classes. The Class of 2024 had a virtual orientation July 29-31 with opportunities to visit campus in small groups, according to ICOM.
