Dr. Italo Subbarao, dean of the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine, center, poses for a photo with the medical school’s leadership team, from left: Dr. Randall Harris, associate dean; Dr. Elizabeth Smith-Trigg, assistant dean, assessment and curricular affairs; Dr. Melissa Stephens, associate dean of graduate medical education and population health; Dr. Keith Speed, senior associate dean; and Dr. Makayla Merritt, assistant dean of clinical operations.
U.S. News and World Report has recognized William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) for excellence in placing graduates into rural, underserved areas, and primary care. The U.S. News and World Report rankings for 2022 include medical schools awarding both MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degrees throughout the nation.
William Carey University ranks 2nd in the nation, by percentage of graduates, among programs for placing graduates into rural areas and 5th for placing graduates into underserved areas. WCUCOM also ranks 3rd in the nation for producing the highest percentage of primary care residents over a three-year rolling average.
“It is our determination to have a quality medical school that provides an outstanding program for our students,” said Dr. Tommy King, president of William Carey University.
“The dean, faculty and staff have progressively moved upward in this endeavor, and the outstanding students who have chosen to join us have done their part to achieve this high recognition.”
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 2010 with a mission to graduate students to practice in primary care and to serve in rural and underserved areas of Mississippi and the Gulf South. WCUCOM has graduated more than 600 students in 10 years and is currently increasing the size of its incoming class from 100 students to 200 students.
The WCUCOM placed in the following categories:
- #2 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas - Percentage of Graduates practicing in areas considered Rural
- #5 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas - Percentage of graduates in areas nationally labeled medically undeserved
- #32 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields - Percentage of graduates practicing in primary care: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and Internal Medicine
- U.S. News and Word Report also gave WCUCOM a top-tier national ranking for Best Medical Schools in Research, Primary Care, and Diversity among students.
“These accolades are very humbling, but for us, this means that we are doing what we were called to do,” said Dr. Italo Subbarao DO, MBA, dean of WCUCOM.
“With healthcare costs soaring, our focus has been to provide high-quality education at a cost-effective rate of tuition, and we believe these outcomes demonstrate that. Our DO curriculum emphasizes the value of primary care and allows our students significant opportunities to train with physicians who serve in rural and underserved communities.
“We share this achievement with our 700 physician preceptors and more than 500 hospitals who have contributed to our student’s education. Mississippi and the Gulf South needs more primary care physicians. We are proud to be an important part of the solution.”
