SHSU-COM Celebrates Class of 2026 and Its Growing Impact on Texas Healthcare
SHSU-COM Celebrates Class of 2026 and Its Growing Impact on Texas Healthcare
As communities across Texas and the nation continue to face growing physician shortages, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) celebrated a major milestone this week: the graduation of its largest class of new physicians to date.
On May 7, members of the SHSU-COM Class of 2026 officially entered the osteopathic medical profession, marking the next step in the college’s mission to expand healthcare access and strengthen the physician workforce in rural and medically underserved communities.
More than half of the graduating class matched into primary care specialties aligned with the college’s mission, while nearly two-thirds will remain in Texas for residency training. Graduates matched into programs across Texas and throughout the nation in specialties including family medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery and neurological surgery.
During commencement, Welcome Wilson Jr. reflected on the role SHSU-COM graduates will play in addressing physician workforce shortages across Texas, particularly in rural and medically underserved communities. Wilson, who voted in support of establishing the medical school while serving on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, spoke about the importance of expanding access to healthcare and training physicians committed to serving communities in need.
“This class represents exactly why SHSU-COM was created,” said Thomas J. Mohr, DO, dean of SHSU-COM and vice president for medical affairs. “These graduates are stepping into communities that need physicians, and they are doing so with compassion, resilience and a deep commitment to service.”
Over the week, graduates were joined by faculty, staff, family members, friends, clinical partners and university leaders in celebrations recognizing the accomplishments, leadership and service of the Class of 2026.
Festivities included the annual graduation banquet, where student doctors, faculty and staff members were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the college community, as well as a military pinning ceremony honoring graduating student doctors entering service in the Army, Air Force and Navy. During the ceremony, military graduates took their oaths of office, donned their new rank insignia and were recognized for their commitment to serving both patients and country as military physicians.
Graduates and their loved ones also gathered for the SHSU-COM County Fair before classmates begin residency training programs across Texas and across the nation this summer. The event celebrated the camaraderie, friendships and support systems built throughout medical school and gave students, families, faculty and staff an opportunity to celebrate one final time together as a class before Thursday’s ceremony.
During commencement ceremonies, graduates recited the Osteopathic Oath and were formally welcomed into the osteopathic medical profession.
As members of the Class of 2026 begin the next chapter of their medical careers, they carry forward SHSU-COM’s mission by helping expand access to compassionate, patient-centered care in communities across Texas and the nation.
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SHSU-COM Director of Marketing, PR & Communications: Brittany Foreman