LUCOM welcomes largest incoming class of osteopathic medicine students in its eighth year

The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) greeted its 162 new osteopathic medicine students last week, marking the largest incoming class in LUCOM’s history.

Each year, the new class participates in a week-long orientation to get to know the faculty and staff of LUCOM, understand what is expected of them both academically and professionally, get accustomed to the LUCOM culture, and join in other activities designed to enhance their first official experience of LUCOM. With each diverse student story and background, they all share one thing in common: aspirations to be osteopathic physicians and serve others through their chosen profession.

Greeting the new students during their first session together, Joseph R. Johnson, DO, FACOOG (Dist), dean and professor of obstetrics and gynecology, said, “Welcome to Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine — and congratulations! You have dreamed, worked, sacrificed, and waited for this moment for many long years. You have left blood, sweat, and tears along the tracks of your life to enter this marathon called medical school. This is the first checkpoint in your journey. You’ve made it; you are here and part of the Class of 2025.”

“You will be able to assist in God’s incredible gift of life, birthing and caring for babies, caring for families in crisis, performing surgeries and care for the mind, body, and spirit of patients. Breathe the sigh of relief that you now have two feet in through the front door,” he added.

Dr. Johnson reminded them of God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6: “‘Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.’”

“These next four years will undoubtedly be — simultaneously — the most difficult and the most rewarding years of your life thus far … take deep breaths, live one moment at a time,” he advised. “In this field, the days are long, but the years are short. Don’t forget to enjoy them. Don’t forget to embrace every single day you are living this honor and privilege. I’ll be right here, witnessing this amazing journey you’re about to embark on. On behalf of the dean’s office, your faculty professors, your staff, and your fellow student colleagues, welcome to Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2025.”

Shortly after hearing from Dr. Johnson, the new class received a surprise visit from Liberty University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Scott Hicks. Using the parable from John 4 about the woman at the well, Dr. Hicks encouraged the students to persevere and serve others well through life’s struggles and to give of themselves, which is what being a Champion for Christ is all about.

“Your patients will be like the woman at the well,” Hicks said. “You will ask piercing questions to understand their struggle, their weariness, and they may try to avoid them. And just like Jesus, approach them in love. Love your patients. Be caring.”

Throughout the past COVID-era year, LUCOM’s Office of Admissions worked rigorously to bring in the new class, receiving over 4,400 applications and reviewing 1,562 secondary applications, interviewing 548 candidates online while offering in-person tours of Liberty University’s Center for Medical and Health Sciences, and ultimately, accepting 162 students into the new Class of 2025.

“From an admissions perspective, I believe our biggest challenges turned into our greatest strengths,” said Ben Smith, associate director of admissions. “The virtual interview experience truly represented LUCOM’s mission and culture, but only through the phenomenal assistance and guidance of LUCOM’s leadership and support staff, as well as Liberty’s Information Technology team, were we successful.”

Commenting on LUCOM Admissions’ interview process, Smith also provided feedback from surveyed candidates:

• “To be honest, I can say only positive things about my interview experience. I was really impressed by how welcoming everyone was! The interview itself felt amazing as my interviewer made me feel comfortable and I felt like it was more of a conversation for them to know me rather than to interview me.”
• “Obviously, I would love to have this experience in person but due to the circumstances it is impossible, and I seriously believe LUCOM made everything in its power to create that positive and welcoming environment over the virtual meeting. Definitely was blown away!”
• “I appreciated the Q and A session with student-doctors. It was helpful and allowed me to get a glimpse of the atmosphere of LUCOM.”

For new student Bobbie Love, she wanted to become a doctor from her life experiences growing up on a farm and caring for animals.

“There is no feeling like that of saving a life, and I knew that I wanted to be integral in saving the lives of people. People are so special, being made in the image of God, and I wish to emulate the Great Physician by helping people physically and spiritually. Osteopathic medicine is grounded in the fact that people have a body-mind-spirit connection. I believe in treating people as whole beings, as well as in the power of human touch, and osteopathic medicine combines these to facilitate patient-centered medicine.”

Having a desire to follow God’s will for her life, she has a burden for mission work and an interest in family medicine. While meeting Dr. Johnson and learning more about his story of becoming a doctor, she felt encouraged.

“As someone with no doctors in my family, Dr. Johnson’s story resonated with me. The fact that he had no family ties to medicine and did not attend school until after he already had five children reassured me that as long as I put God first and keep persevering, success is imminent.”

Taylor Edgar, also in the new Class of 2025, was diagnosed at the age of 15 with bilateral hip dysplasia and with two hip surgeries, two summers of crutches, eight surgical screws, and numerous months of physical therapy, the philosophy of osteopathic medicine resonated with her, especially as a patient who has faced pain all her adult life.

“With the osteopathic model, it’s more about looking at what my body can still do for itself to keep the pain at a minimum and the joint functioning the best it can through non-pharmacological management and proper training,” Edgar said. “This perspective of healing should be an option shared with all patients.”

Alexandra Northrup, Class of 2025, chose LUCOM because of its emphasis on community and service to others and credits the faculty and staff for feeling welcomed on the first day.

“After undergrad, I knew I was looking for a medical school that cared just as much about the community that supports and builds it as those of us joining the community,” Northrup said. “As osteopathic physicians, we will have the privilege to use our hands to heal others while capitalizing on our minds to educate, and I feel strongly about sharing these tools with others, especially in helping to build a stronger, more cohesive community. LUCOM will not only provide us with the tools to do this but the connections to facilitate our growth in the incredible healthcare field.”

“I think that all of my peers would agree that from the second we walked into the doors at LUCOM we felt like we belonged, we are important and that every individual who is part of the medical school was excited for us to embark on our journey as student doctors,” Northrup added. “Being greeted and welcomed in this way just seems like a testament to how valued and supported we will be throughout the next four years.”

LUCOM’s eighth class consists of 155 students representing 30 states and seven international students from five foreign countries. The top six states are Virginia, California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, 135 students are entering Liberty’s DO program with a bachelor’s degree and 27 with a master’s degree. LUCOM’s Class of 2025 has 30 graduates from Liberty University.

View more images at Facebook.com/LibertyMedicine. (Photos by Chris Breedlove)