Historic Inaugural Class Graduates from OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation
May 17 2024 - 1:00PM
Business Wire
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the
Cherokee Nation celebrated a monumental achievement on May 16 as
its inaugural class of 46 medical students graduated from the
country’s first tribally affiliated medical school.
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Caitlin Cosby is hooded by Dr. Natasha
Bray during the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic
Medicine commencement ceremony in Tulsa, Okla., on Thursday, May
16, 2024. Cosby was among the inaugural class of students from the
College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation in
Tahlequah, Okla. (Photo: Business Wire)
The commencement ceremony, which graduated students from OSU
College of Osteopathic Medicine and OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation,
was held at the Mabee Center in Tulsa.
“Tonight, we celebrate the realization of a dream, one that
started over a decade ago when I served as president of OSU Center
for Health Sciences,” said Dr. Kayse Shrum, president of OSU,
during the ceremony. “We wanted to expand our efforts to better the
health outcomes of rural Oklahomans, while also growing the medical
school.”
Approximately 20% of the inaugural class are Native American.
It’s a substantial number compared to the less than 1% of Native
American students enrolled in medical schools nationally. About 35%
of the students from the inaugural class from OSU-COM at the
Cherokee Nation matched with a rural or tribal residency
program.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., said as the
tribe celebrates this historic milestone they also honor the
resiliency of their ancestors.
“Today their legacy lives on as this exceptional group of future
doctors prepares to break barriers and forge new paths in health
care,” Hoskin said. “Their dedication not only addresses the
critical shortage of rural doctors but also increases the
representation of Native and Cherokee physicians within our health
system and other tribal health systems in this state, ensuring
top-notch care rooted in culture for generations to come.”
With health outcomes in Oklahoma ranking near the bottom
nationwide, training physicians who will someday care for rural and
underserved Oklahomans is a key mission of OSU Center for Health
Sciences.
“These graduates, who have completed their training in the heart
of the Cherokee Nation, embody the values of service, compassion
and excellence that define both the Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma
State University,” said OSU-CHS President Johnny Stephens. “Their
journey has been one of dedication, perseverance, and cultural
understanding. As they embark on their careers, they will carry
with them the unique perspective and knowledge gained from this
groundbreaking partnership.”
In August 2020, the inaugural class didn’t just make history by
being the first students attending a tribally affiliated medical
school, they also started classes in the middle of a global
pandemic.
“The first semester of medical school is difficult. Compound the
stress of moving, forming new relationships, learning a high volume
of complex information during a global pandemic, and you begin to
understand the challenges faced by the class of 2024,” said Dr.
Natasha Bray, OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation dean. “The class of
2024 demonstrated resilience and leadership. They developed deep
friendships and a culture of support both in the learning
environment and the community. They developed a deep, and I hope
enduring, appreciation of the role of physician in service.”
Ashton Glover-Gatewood, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation
and descendent of the Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations of Oklahoma,
was working as a nurse and health care administrator at the
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic when she applied to be part of the
first class of medical students on the new Tahlequah campus.
“We’ve been through a lot as a class. I think we had a unique
set of challenges, but we really grew together; we uplifted each
other, and we helped each other,” Gatewood said. “I also feel a
responsibility to represent my tribe. I hope that my story can
inspire others to continue pursuing their dreams, especially Native
students and women who may not have many mentors in their
communities.”
For more information please contact Communications Coordinator
Sara Plummer at sara.plummer@okstate.edu or call 918-561-1282.
About Oklahoma State University Center for Health
Sciences
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences is a
nationally recognized academic health center focused on teaching,
research and patient care through its OSU Medicine clinics located
throughout the Tulsa metro area. OSU Center for Health Sciences
offers graduate and professional degrees through the College of
Osteopathic Medicine, OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah,
the School of Allied Health, the School of Health Care
Administration, the School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of
Forensic Sciences, and the Physician Assistant program. OSU
Medicine operates a network of clinics offering a multitude of
specialty services including addiction medicine, cardiology, family
medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and women’s
health. Learn more at medicine.okstate.edu.
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Sara Plummer Communications Coordinator sara.plummer@okstate.edu
918-561-1282