Touro University Nevada Welcomes 135 Medical Students
For the past decade Touro University Nevada has been deeply invested in the local community, educating medical professionals to improve the healthcare of Southern Nevada. On Wednesday, July 29 the university welcomed its newest class of DO students. 135 future doctors kicked off a three-day orientation that began their medical school training.
During the first day, students learned about the technology on campus and received their new computers in addition to learning about university resources and meeting with various campus departments. The second day included students being fitted for their new White Coats, a time-honored tradition that identifies them to the outside world as student doctors. Sessions on the unique library system at Touro, academic resources, the student health clinic, and academic integrity also filled up the second day schedule. The third and final day of orientation focused on academic program information.
“This is a very exciting time for the students,” said Touro Dean of Students Phil Tompkins. “Orientation is the first step on a very long road of education before they become doctors. Touro is continuing to make a major difference in the health care of Southern Nevada. Our hope is to train these student doctors and retain them here to benefit the community for many years to come.”
According to an article recently published in U.S. News and World Report, applications to osteopathic medical (D.O.) schools have increased by 162% compared to 29% for allopathic (M.D.) programs. Studies also show that nearly 70% of medical school graduates set up their practice where they do their residency program, not where they went to medical school. “By increasing the number of residency programs in Nevada, we will see an increase in the number of medical students staying in our state to practice,” said Touro CEO and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley. “If we don’t increase these residencies, we are all graduating students who will leave Nevada to practice.”
Among the new class beginning the orientation process was 25 year-old Samantha Haikel who is eager to begin her medical career but concerned about the lack of residencies in the state “I can’t wait to be a physician,” she said. “If I end up choosing one of the residencies that are available here then I would be happy to stay in Nevada, time will tell.”
Established in 2004, the university is home to nearly 1,400 students in a wide range of degree programs including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, nursing, medical health sciences, occupational therapy, and education. Many of these are the first and only programs of their kind in Nevada.
About Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada is a private, non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution established to help address critical needs in health care and education and as a resource for community service in the state of Nevada. Touro University Nevada opened its doors in 2004 and is now home to more than 1,400 students, in a wide variety of degree programs including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, education, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The university’s Henderson campus includes a multi-specialty health center and a multi-disciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. For more information, please visit www.tun.touro.edu or call 702- 777-8687.
