About

Mission and Vision

Improving Primary Care Access

Mission 

The mission of the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) is to prepare students for the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with an emphasis toward primary care and rural practice, to develop culturally aware, diverse and compassionate physicians, who follow osteopathic principles, that are prepared for graduate medical education, and will serve the people of Texas with professionalism and patient-centered care. (Created January 16, 2017; Updated March 9, 2018; Revised July 5, 2018)

A significant part of the mission of the COM is to increase the physician workforce in the eastern region of Texas and to increase access to primary care. The COM will accomplish this by recruiting qualified applicants from areas to which they would likely want to return and establish their practice.

Vision 

The vision of the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is to provide medical education and service to the eastern region of Texas and be recognized as a leader in improving primary care access and workforce needs in the state. The SHSU-COM will:

  • Provide an excellent academic experience through a vertically integrated basic science/clinical curriculum provided by highly skilled and experienced basic science faculty and clinicians.

  • Reinforce the quality of the academic experience through biomedical and clinical research.

  • Create opportunities with clinical partners to develop strong clinical training programs for students and facilitate the creation and expansion of graduate medical education.

  • Produce qualified candidates for entry into GME who will become part of the medical workforce in east Texas.


About 

The SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is the eighth college of the university and only the third college of osteopathic medicine in the state. 

SHSU’s history of contributing to the well-being of the state, started over 139 years ago, when the university was established to respond to the need for trained teachers. At the time, state leaders recognized that education was key to improving quality of life and the subsequent prosperity of Texas. Today, the university is responding to another critical workforce demand, where education is key to elevating the quality of life for millions of Texans.