Campbell Medicine welcomes the Class of 2024

Students from around the country begin their medical school journey at Campbell - in the midst of a global pandemic.

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed the Class of 2024 with a COVID-19 friendly and safe orientation during the last week of July. There are 162 students in the incoming DO class and 23 new students entering the MSBS program.

"We are very excited to welcome the Class of 2024 to CUSOM," said Dr. Jim Powers, interim dean at the School of Medicine. "This academic year will look different for everyone, but we remain strongly committed to training physicians to provide leadership and excellent patient care in all communities."

Throughout the week, students were able to pick up supplies and participate in presentations - both safely in-person and virtually - in preparation for the start of the academic year.

The Campbell Medicine SGA hosted a "Class of 2024 Welcoming Series" which combined both virtual and in-person activities. They organized 6 small group events: Wilmington Beach, Raven Rock Hike, Cape Fear Tubing, Catered Event, and two Bonfires.

CUSOM's response to COVID-19

The medical school faculty, staff and students have adapted and adjusted well throughout the last few months. Our first and second year medical students have a rigorous lecture and lab schedule, and our third and fourth year students are on clinical rotations at 9 affiliate hospital systems. To reduce the student census and allow for social distancing for our first and second year students, all lectures continue to be virtual and our labs in are small cohorts with PPE provided. For our third and fourth year students, we have adapted to the circumstances at each location.

Kimberly Johnson, OMM coordinator, shared all of the ins-and-outs and details not to be overlooked while preparing for and executing labs this semester.

"From learning new technology to securing PPE, physically spacing out lab groups while still keeping them 'connected' virtually, and just re-thinking how we do lab in general - it's a lot to navigate and work through," said Johnson. "We've paired/grouped students with close contacts, implemented COVID symptom/temperature checks prior to lab, transformed practical exams to oral exams, and are tracking a lot of things to keep everyone safe."

- SHELLEY HOBBS

CLASS OF 2024 FAST FACTS

• 162 students

• 68 students from North Carolina

• 15 Campbell graduates

• 24 states represented

• Over 25 colleges/ universities represented

• Avg. GPA 3.6

• Avg. Science GPA 3.54