T R A I N I NG N E X T G E N E R AT ION OF P H Y S IC I A N S
MEETING THE MISSION OSU-COM alumni Dr. Cynthia Nydick meets with a patient at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah.
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SU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s mission to produce primary care physicians for rural and underserved Oklahoma is critical to the state as it faces a shortage of primary care physicians. OSU-COM offers four medical education tracks to students to help fill this critical need. Rural Medical Track students get unique hands-on training and experience with physicians who understand the challenges and limited access to medical services in rural communities. They are also given opportunities to experience and collaborate on innovative models of health care such as telehealth and virtual medicine.
12 // VITALS 2023 IMPACT REPORT
Students in the Urban/Underserved Medical Track obtain hands-on training with physicians who know and understand the benefits and challenges of practicing in an urban and underserved clinic or health system. Through this track, medical students learn about racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and gender health disparities and receive training in treating patients in a free clinic setting. Tribal Medical Track students learn about indigenous medicine, health disparities among American Indian populations and career opportunities in tribal health care through hands-on experience and training. They will also participate in special
