The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) celebrated the graduation of 149 new physicians on Friday, May 23. After four years of study, ICOM faculty hooded the new osteopathic physicians and the College’s Class of 2025 was conferred the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
“With today’s commencement, ICOM has now graduated 588 Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs),” said Dr. Tracy J. Farnsworth, ICOM President. “We rejoice in the success of these graduates and in the knowledge that they will provide much needed medical care to thousands of persons for decades to come.”
In a packed theater at the Morrison Center in Boise, graduates gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff, to celebrate their transition into resident physicians, where they will train in their specialty of choice for at least the next three years. Of the 149 graduates, 18 will stay in Idaho for residency training.
Prior to the official hooding, commencement speaker, Robert A. Cain, DO, FACOI, FAODME, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), delivered the keynote address.
Following Dr. Cain’s remarks, each new graduate was individually hooded, and symbolically transitioned from an osteopathic medical student to an osteopathic physician. Prior to the conclusion of the Hooding Ceremony, graduates recited the Osteopathic Oath, led by Richard Sloan, DO, FACOFP, Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs.
While completing the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), one ICOM graduate also received a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) through the College’s partnership with Idaho State University. Additionally, 16 graduates were commissioned as officers in the United States Armed Forces.
The 149 new osteopathic physicians will begin their residencies in the coming weeks, with just over 55% of the class embarking on a primary care specialty. In total, ICOM graduates will continue their medical training through residencies in: anesthesiology; dermatology; diagnostic radiology; emergency medicine; family medicine; general surgery; internal medicine; neurology; obstetrics and gynecology; orthopedic surgery; otolaryngology; osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine; pathology; pediatrics; physical medicine and rehabilitation; psychiatry; urology; and vascular surgery.