School of Osteopathic Medicine

UIW Graduates Latest Class of Osteopathic Medicine Physicians

By The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce the conferral of 140 degrees to students of the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) at the 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony took place in front of family and friends at Freeman Coliseum on the morning of May 7, 2022.

The Commencement marked the first time that all the graduates from UIW’s five health professions schools (Ila Fay Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions, Feik School of Pharmacy, Rosenberg School of Optometry, School of Physical Therapy and School of Osteopathic Medicine) graduated in the same ceremony at the same time. It was a historic moment, acknowledged UIW President, Dr. Thomas M. Evans, as he addressed the graduates. Evans recalled the story of the founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word who were called to Texas from France in response to a pandemic in the late 1800’s.

“The parallels of their journey and yours are astounding and they add to the significance of the milestone we are celebrating today,” Evans told the graduates. “Just as our founders began their service in response to a public health crisis, you are graduating in the midst of a global pandemic, into a world that needs your particular set of skills, education and compassion more than ever. Thankfully, we were blessed to be born into this modern era of fast-moving innovation and medical knowledge. You will not have to travel to your patients by horse-drawn wagon or provide care with little more than your own two hands and faith. However, some truths remain the same. You will encounter patients who are also frightened, ill and, perhaps, short on hope. When you do, I ask you to think about what the care you provide means to them and their families. Just as it was with those first Sisters, to your patients and their families, you represent hope and the potential that tomorrow can be better than today.”

This year’s UIWSOM graduating class had a 99% residency placement with 81 graduates staying here in Texas for the next step of their medical careers. The others matched to 27 different states including Alaska and Hawaii. The majority of the graduates are going into Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, while the rest will enter other specialties such as Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Ophthalmology. 30 graduates from the UIWSOM Class of 2022 will remain in San Antonio for residency training.

Top: UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Dr. Robyn Philips-Madson (left) congratulates graduate. Bottom: UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine Graduates