HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Members of the inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine marked a milestone Friday, receiving their white medical coats symbolizing their start on the journey to becoming doctors of osteopathic medicine.

The ceremony, the culmination of a week of orientation for the students, is a tradition for medical students.

“This ceremony is not only a rite of passage, but also a visible reminder of the responsibility our students are about to embrace,” said Chanté Richardson, Ph.D., MBA, associate dean of student services and community engagement.

The class of 97 students were joined by hundreds of family and friends who filled the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Conference Center in the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall.

“I know we all got here because someone helped us,” said Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., president of the medical school. “Be it a parent, a family member, a friend, a spouse, a teacher, a physician. And that help is going to continue on your journey here at MSOM.”

He noted that the students, being the first class of the new medical school, would have upon their graduation the privilege of signing a steel beam that was signed by Meritus staff and community members when the academic hall was constructed.

“As the inaugural class, you're the foundation for the future,” he said. “That steel beam represents the foundation of the academic building, just as all of you represent the foundation of this medical school.”

The beam is on display in the school lobby.

Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services, presented a state flag that flew atop the Maryland State House in Annapolis. He noted that the state and nation is in desperate need of physicians.

In fact, there will be a projected shortage of 124,000 physicians in the United States by 2030. There is a shortage of roughly 50 physicians just in Washington County, Md. MSOM was built to help solve the shortage crisis locally and in Maryland. It’s the first civilian medical school to open its doors in the state in more than 100 years.

“There is a reason the governor chose to fly this flag on July 4,” Chaudhry said. “July 4 is symbolic, not only of the birth of our nation, but also of growth and prosperity. And that is just like here today, it’s a symbol of a new beginning.”

Meena Seshamani, M.D., Ph.D., the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, congratulated the students on their achievement and what they are about to become.

“The journey you all are about to embark on will allow you to challenge yourselves, to grow professionally and personally, and you’ll support each other,” she said. “You're going to be able to help this health system and this school to grow.”

Dr. Seshamani noted the importance of the students being part of the first class.

“You all will be the epitome of what it means to practice holistic care,” she said. “It will be your faces, hands and brains driving all of that forward, not only for the state of Maryland, but also for the country.”

Brian Kessler, D.O., dean of MSOM, encouraged the students to take to heart what they will learn.

“Go out and change lives,” he said. To learn more about the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, visit msom.org.

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Meritus Health, Western Maryland’s largest health care provider, is located at the crossroads of Western Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The mission of Meritus Health is to improve the health of the region by providing the best healthcare, health services and medical education. As an anchor organization for the community, Meritus has 4,000 employees and serves more than 200,000 residents of the tristate region through Meritus Medical Center, Brook Lane Health Services, Meritus Medical Group, Meritus Home Health, Meritus Equipped for Life, and the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. More information can be found at www.MeritusHealth.com or visit our Facebook page or LinkedIn page.