In its 2023 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked William Carey University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) No. 1 nationwide in producing the highest percentage of graduates serving in rural areas. WCUCOM also ranked fourth in the nation in two other areas – highest percentage of graduates practicing in both primary care and health professional shortage areas.
The 2023 rankings include medical schools awarding both MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degrees.
The mission of the WCUCOM is to prepare men and women to become osteopathic physicians through an emphasis on primary care, lifelong learning, research and scholarly activities, service, including osteopathic clinical service, and graduate medical education. Using a community-based training model, the COM will educate and train graduates who are committed to serving the healthcare needs of all individuals, with special attention directed to the medically underserved and diverse populations of the state, region, and nation.
Dr. Italo Subbarao, dean of the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine, said this speaks to the university’s long-range vision and servant’s heart.
“William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) was established in 2010 with a mission to graduate physicians who practice in primary care and serve in rural and underserved communities of Mississippi and the Gulf South. Placing first in the nation among all medical schools for graduates serving rural areas and Top 4 for graduates in underserved communities and overall percentage of primary care physicians per U.S. News and World Report honors our commitment to this mission,” Subbarao said.
“We have recently embarked on an expansion and will continue our commitment to become a world-class institute for primary care.”
Dr. Robert Cain, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and Dr. Kevin Klauer, CEO of the American Osteopathic Association, visited WCUCOM for the announcement.
“Today, the entire osteopathic medical education community is very proud and congratulates WCUCOM for this well-deserved national recognition,” said Cain.
“Since its founding, WCUCOM has devoted itself to training and graduating physicians prepared to practice in all communities, most notably rural and underserved areas across Mississippi and the region. Thanks to these efforts, more and more people have the opportunity and are choosing to be cared for by osteopathic physicians. These rankings are a testament to the mission of WCUCOM and the commitment of its graduates to serve their communities.”
Klauer praised WCUCOM’s commitment to service.
“I want to congratulate the faculty, administration, and students of William Carey for making this happen. This is a profession based on selfless service, and you’re providing greater access to care so that we can provide modern medicine for the mind, body, and spirit of the patients in your communities,” said Klauer.
“That is heartwarming to me. I want to thank you for helping to advance the very proud and distinctive osteopathic occupation.”
WCU President Dr. Tommy King offered his congratulations for the ranking.
“I am so pleased with the remarkable progress of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. This is a distinct honor that fulfills the mission we established for the medical school more than 12 years ago. Dr. Subbarao and our former dean, Dr. James Turner, are to be commended,” King said.
For more information about the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit
www.wmcarey.edu. In the photo:
Dr. Italo Subbarao, WCUCOM Dean, Dr. Kevin Klauer, CEO of the American Osteopathic Association, Dr. Robert Cain, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and Dr. Bill Mayo, former AOA and MOMA president, celebrate WCUCOM’s top rankings with the U.S. News and World Report.
