graduation

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe Graduates 145 New Physicians

ebailey — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:41:31 +0000

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe Graduates 145 New Physicians ebailey Tue, 05/19/2026 - 14:41

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe Graduates 145 New Physicians

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On May 16, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (��Ӱ��-Louisiana) proudly celebrated the graduation of its third class of physicians. After four rigorous years of study, service, and clinical training, these new graduates have earned their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees and will now begin the next chapter of their medical journeys in residency programs across the nation.

This class of 145 graduates represents 28 states, with many proudly calling Louisiana home. Among them are 12 student parents who balanced the demands of family life with their medical education. Together, the class achieved an outstanding 99% residency match rate, an exceptional milestone that reflects both their dedication and the strength of their preparation. As they move forward, these physicians will collectively impact millions of patients’ lives, carrying with them the mission of ��Ӱ�� and the principles of osteopathic medicine in every patient encounter.

Commencement speaker Thomas J. Gullatt, MD, FCCP, a physician leader with over 30 years of clinical and executive experience, serves as CEO and market president for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System’s northeast Louisiana market and as an assistant professor at ��Ӱ��-Louisiana. Addressing the Class of 2026, he challenged graduates to recognize both the privilege and responsibility that come with the profession, reminding them that their impact will extend far beyond the exam room.

You walk into a position of trust and respect, whatever community or situation you choose to pursue. Studies show that physicians are the most publicly trusted occupation—but with this trust comes responsibility and, with it, the opportunity to have an impact on patients, society, and public health. It will be up to your generation of physicians to enhance public trust—or allow the erosion of public confidence to continue. Never stop your quest for knowledge, detail, new techniques, and interventions. Your education doesn’t end now—it’s really just beginning.

Thomas J. Gullatt, MD, FCCP

��Ӱ��’s mission is to prepare community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations throughout the Southeast, particularly in the Appalachian and Delta regions. The Class of 2026 continues to advance that mission.

Nearly 27% of graduates will remain in Louisiana for residency training, while another 26% will continue their training in neighboring states, demonstrating a strong commitment to serving the communities that helped shape their journey. Overall, members of the Class of 2026 matched into residency programs in 26 states, with the most placements in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.

60% percent of the class matched primary care specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology. These specialties form the foundation of preventive, accessible, and community-based healthcare.

The Class of 2026 also continues ��Ӱ��-Louisiana’s growing tradition of success in military medicine through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). This year, five students matched to pursue military residency training across five specialties in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, continuing ��Ӱ��-Louisiana’s legacy of training physicians committed to serving both patients and country.

As the Class of 2026 begins residency training across the country, they carry with them the knowledge, clinical experience, and values gained at ��Ӱ��-Louisiana, along with a deep commitment to service, compassion, and whole-person care. Reflecting on the journey ahead, Ray L. Morrison, DO, FACOS, DFACOS, dean of the ��Ӱ��-Louisiana campus, reminded the graduates, “You’ll have times of joy, times of unhappiness, but these values will be your guiding light as you face the unknown and find yourself in a position to make many difficult decisions. You’re now part of a proud profession, a community of osteopathic physicians dedicated to healing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. You carry with you not just a degree, but the hopes of your family, the pride of your professors, and the trust of the communities you serve.”

graduation

Louisiana

By Danielle Voumard -

��Ӱ��-Virginia Celebrates its 20th Graduating Class

ebailey — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:53:36 +0000

��Ӱ��-Virginia Celebrates its 20th Graduating Class ebailey Wed, 05/13/2026 - 08:53

��Ӱ��-Virginia Celebrates its 20th Graduating Class

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Twenty years after opening its doors in Blacksburg, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (��Ӱ��) celebrated a milestone moment on May 8, 2026: the graduation of ��Ӱ��-Virginia’s 20th graduating class.

More than 3,400 physicians have graduated from ��Ӱ��-Virginia. Its Class of 2026 includes 175 graduates who achieved a 100% residency match rate. Fifty-five percent of the class will enter primary care residencies, truly meeting the ��Ӱ�� mission of educating physicians who will provide care to rural and underserved communities.

Those numbers are more than statistics. In just the next year, the ��Ӱ��-Virginia Class of 2026 is projected to provide more than 5,000 patient care visits. Over the course of their careers, that number will exceed 29 million.

Their work comes at a critical time. The United States—including Southwest Virginia—continues to face persistent physician shortages, particularly in primary care specialties such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology. ��Ӱ�� graduates will play an important role in helping meet those healthcare needs.

While the impact of the graduating class can be measured in numbers, ��Ӱ�� leaders emphasized that compassionate care remains just as important as clinical skill.

In his address to the graduates, speaker and CEO of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center Bill Flattery spoke about the importance of the compassionate care ��Ӱ��-Virginia graduates will provide over their practice lifetimes. “You will witness first breaths and last breaths—moments that will stay with patients and their families forever, and with you too,” he said. “Few professions are invited into those spaces, but you will be again and again. . . And the way that you show up in those moments will become part of the legacy you leave in this world.”

More than 90% of the ��Ӱ��-Virginia graduating class came from a state in the Appalachian or Delta region of the country. The class has the highest GPA and the strongest board performance in ��Ӱ�� history. They’re carrying on family traditions—more than 50 physician family members were on hand to hood their graduates.

��Ӱ��-Virginia’s 20th graduating class is the continuation of two decades of hard work and dedication. When ��Ӱ�� opened in 2003, its founders were helping lead a new era in osteopathic medical education. At the time, there were only about 20 colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. Today, there are more than 40, and osteopathic medical students account for more than one-quarter of all U.S. medical students.

Throughout that growth, ��Ӱ�� has remained a leader in osteopathic medical education. What began as a single campus in Blacksburg has expanded into a four-campus institution with nearly 7,000 alumni serving communities across the Southeast and beyond.

graduation

Virginia

By Amy Ostroth -

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026

ebailey — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:14:25 +0000

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026 ebailey Tue, 12/16/2025 - 10:14

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026

Tags: graduation

Location: Neville Arena

Information and Guidelines for Ordering Student Regalia for Graduation

Please click the link below to order your graduation regalia. This link will take you to the R. M. Hendrick Graduate Supply House website. The information you provide will help ensure that you receive appropriately sized regalia. The graduation fee you have already paid covers the cost of your regalia. On the ordering page, make sure to select “Yes” to the statement “I have reviewed my responses above to verify accuracy” before clicking the submit button. Additionally, you will be able to keep your regalia as a memento of your graduation from medical school. The deadline for placing your order is Friday, March 20, 2026, at midnight.

Website: www.gradsupply.com/vcom

(Once you are on the site, read through the information on the cover page, then click “Complete your Order” to go to the ordering page).

If you have any questions about ordering regalia, please contact Meredithe Kelsoe at mkelsoe@auburn.vcom.edu.

Information and Guidelines for Ordering Family Hooder Regalia

��Ӱ�� allows select family members to support you on stage as you are hooded during the graduation ceremony. While the President will present your D.O. hood and place it on you, certain family members are invited to be with you. This opportunity is only available to your spouse, parents, stepparents, grandparents, brothers/sisters, aunts/uncles, and ONLY if they have a D.O. or M.D. degree. Family friends, mentors and family-like individuals are not included, and no other degrees are permitted. The cost for renting family hooder regalia is $81.00 and you can pay with a credit card online.

*Family regalia is rented and IS NOT to be kept. It must be turned in after the ceremony before you can receive your diploma!

Any student with a family hooder must complete this survey for the family hooder to participate in graduation: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AVBnOZ1CO4

The deadline for placing the order for Family Hooder regalia is Friday, March 20 at midnight and family hooders will order and pay for their regalia directly on the website. The student will pick up the family member’s regalia when they pick up their own regalia.

*For questions about family hooders, please contact Meredithe Kelsoe at mkelsoe@auburn.vcom.edu.

Each graduate will receive two copies of their diploma. You may choose to get both framed. This year we have two framing companies available for you to use based on your preference.

The first is Cameragraphics, located in Auburn, AL. The second is a national vendor, Church Hill Classics. Both deliver exceptional quality framing. More information about both is listed below.

Cameragraphics

To Order

Fill out the Online order form

Order and Payment deadline: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

After you submit your form, you will be directed to PayPal to pay for your order. If you have any issues with payment, please call CameraGraphics at (334) 821-2524 and ask for the Framing Department.

It is the buyer’s responsibility to pay for their order.

Cameragraphics is a local business in Auburn, Alabama. With over 40 years of experience, they are well known for their work with many businesses around town, including Auburn University. Highlights of this service include:

Solid Wood Frames
Conservation UV Protective Glass
Acid-Free Materials
Dust Cover on Back with Hanger
��Ӱ�� Medal
Drawing Print of ��Ӱ��-Auburn

Framed Diploma(s) will be completed with the diploma inserted and picked up during the graduation weekend after the family regalia is returned.

Church Hill Classics

Handcrafted in the USA and custom-?sized specifically for the official Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine diploma.

��Ӱ�� Diploma Frame Options at Church Hill Classics

��Ӱ�� is working with area hotels to accommodate traveling family and friends.

Hotel Info (PDF)

The Auburn / Opelika area has many beautiful sights, activities, restaurants, and places to stay for visiting guests. To explore options you have while visiting for graduation we highly recommend checking out AOTourism

AOTourism

AOTourism is a fantastic initiative through the local Chamber of Commerce that highlights everything offered in the Auburn / Opelika area.

To find specific information please follow the links below:

Lodging Accommodations: https://www.aotourism.com/Accommodations/
Dining Availability: https://www.aotourism.com/Dining/
Schedule of Local Events: https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Shopping: https://www.aotourism.com/Shopping/
Directions for Traveling to Auburn / Opelika: https://www.aotourism.com/Meet/Getting-Here/
Transportation Services: https://www.aotourism.com/Transportation/

Campus: Auburn

When: May 9, 2026 1:00pm to 3:00pm CDT

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026

ebailey — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:18:56 +0000

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026 ebailey Tue, 09/16/2025 - 10:18

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026

Tags: graduation

Location: Fant-Ewing Coliseum
Dress: Business casual attire

Livestream on YouTube

Schedule of Events (PDF)

Student Regalia

Information and Guidelines for Ordering Regalia for Family Hooders for Graduation 2026

��Ӱ�� allows select family members to support you on stage as you are hooded during the graduation ceremony. The cost for purchasing family hooder regalia through Oak Hall is $96.50. Payment can be made at the link below under "Misc student payments" option. Please list your name and family hooder in the "describe what you are paying for" box (ex: Ty Harp - family hooder). Payment must be made before you are able to pick up family hooder regalia. Please keep the receipt of payment and have available on the date you pick up your regalia. The deadline for placing your order is Friday, March 25, 2026.

Guest Hooder Regalia

Guest Hooder Payment

Hotel Accommodations (PDF)

Things to do in Monroe

Church Hill Classics

Handcrafted in the USA and custom-sized specifically for the official Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine diploma.

��Ӱ�� Diploma Frame Options at Church Hill Classics

Campus: Louisiana

When: May 16, 2026 10:00am to 12:30pm CDT

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026

ebailey — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:27:14 +0000

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026 ebailey Mon, 08/18/2025 - 09:27

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026

Tags: graduation

Location: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Dress: Business casual attire

Graduates, Faculty, Stage Party, and Family Hooders arrive by 9:15

Livestream on YouTube

Schedule of Events (PDF)

��Ӱ�� is working with area hotels to accommodate traveling family and friends.

Hotel Info (PDF)

Church Hill Classics

Handcrafted in the USA and custom-sized specifically for the official Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine diploma.

��Ӱ�� Diploma Frame Options at Church Hill Classics

Campus: Carolinas

When: May 15, 2026 10:00am to 12:30pm EDT

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

ebailey — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:04:36 +0000

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026 ebailey Mon, 08/18/2025 - 09:04

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Tags: graduation

Location: Burruss Hall (Doors open to guests at 9:00 AM)
Dress: Business casual attire

Graduates, Faculty, Stage Party, and Family Hooders arrive by 9:15 AM

Livestream on YouTube

Schedule of Events (PDF)

Class of 2026 Awards and Recognitions (PDF)

Virginia Tech Parking Info (PDF)

Hyatt Place - $159
Book Here Or Call 540-552-7500

Residence Inn - $159
Book Here Or Call 540-750-4400

The Inn at VA Tech - $155
Book Here Or Call 540-231-8000

Courtyard by Marriott - $164-174
Book Here Or Call 540-552-5222

Hilton Garden Inn - $139
Book Here Or Call 540-552-5005

For reservations made over the phone, mention that you are traveling for ��Ӱ��’s Graduation Ceremony to receive the group rate.

Church Hill Classics

Handcrafted in the USA and custom-sized specifically for the official Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine diploma.

��Ӱ�� Diploma Frame Options at Church Hill Classics

Campus: Virginia

When: May 8, 2026 10:00am to 12:30pm EDT

��Ӱ�� Graduates More than 600 New Physicians Across Its Four Campuses

ebailey — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:57:50 +0000

��Ӱ�� Graduates More than 600 New Physicians Across Its Four Campuses ebailey Mon, 06/02/2025 - 14:57

��Ӱ�� Graduates More than 600 New Physicians Across Its Four Campuses

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May 2025 was a milestone month for ��Ӱ�� as graduation ceremonies took place across all four campuses. Graduation speakers shared insights and advice ranging from Dr. Seuss to Plato.

Graduating from medical school is a significant achievement—one that requires immense dedication, perseverance, and no small financial investment. But for these new physicians, medicine is more than a career—it’s a calling, whether they’re planning to practice family medicine in their hometowns or pursue a specialty in a larger hospital setting.

��Ӱ�� Provost Debbie West highlighted the College’s impressive history, noting that ��Ӱ�� has graduated more than 6,300 physicians since its first graduating class in 2007. Altogether, ��Ӱ�� alumni—including the Class of 2025—will provide nearly 1 billion patient care visits over their practice lifetimes. In her remarks, Provost West told the graduates, “Your academic achievement isn’t the only reason we chose you to be a ��Ӱ�� student. We chose you for your compassion, cultural competence, humility, persistence, and ethical responsibility to yourself and others. Those qualities have served you well over the past four years and will continue to do so throughout your career.”

Indeed, those same qualities are the hallmarks of a ��Ӱ�� education and they are an important part of the College’s mission, which these new physicians will now take with them as they start their careers, amplifying the impact of ��Ӱ�� across the country.

At ��Ӱ��-Carolinas, graduation speaker Leith States, acting assistant secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, used The Lorax by Dr. Seuss to emphasize the importance of caring enough to make a difference.

We are at a time of disruption and change in our profession. New ideas and innovative approaches to care delivery and public health are needed, and a new generation of stewards must make them a reality. No pressure to you all, but we’re looking to you to take the torch and do great things.

Leith States , Acting Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

At the Auburn campus, which had the largest number of family cloakers in campus history, graduation speaker David Thrasher—��Ӱ��-Auburn board member and associate professor at the UAB School of Medicine—spoke of the responsibility of being a physician. Quoting his own medical school mentor, Dr. Thrasher said, “There is no greater opportunity, obligation, or responsibility that can fall on any human being than to become a physician.”

At the Louisiana campus, speaker Roderick Clark, MD, a distinguished nephrologist and medical leader, reminded graduates that physicians are uniquely qualified to lead not only in practice, but also in their communities and in government. “As you go out into your career, you’ll be called to do good things, and I recommend that you take the time to do them,” he said. “You’ve been given a gift, but it’s a gift to share—and if I may quote Plato, ‘Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.’”

The ��Ӱ�� Class of 2025 achieved an impressive combined final match rate of 99.6% across all campuses, with 635 graduates. Their initial match rate of 97% exceeds the national average for all U.S. DO seniors (92.6%) and U.S. MD seniors (93.5%). Read more about ��Ӱ��’s Class of 2025 matches on our website.

graduation

By Amy Ostroth -

��Ӱ��-Louisiana Celebrates the Class of 2025: A New Generation of Osteopathic Physicians

ebailey — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:27:52 +0000

��Ӱ��-Louisiana Celebrates the Class of 2025: A New Generation of Osteopathic Physicians ebailey Tue, 05/13/2025 - 15:27

��Ӱ��-Louisiana Celebrates the Class of 2025: A New Generation of Osteopathic Physicians

1747137600

On May 9th, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (��Ӱ��)-Louisiana proudly celebrated the graduation of its second class of Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. This distinguished group of 151 graduates represents a wide range of backgrounds, hailing from 22 states and six countries. Many who call Louisiana home, and nearly 44% will remain in Louisiana or neighboring states for residency, continuing their commitment to serve the region's communities.

This class includes seven student-parents who balanced the demands of medical school with raising families. Their collective perseverance and dedication resulted in a 100% residency match rate, an extraordinary achievement that reflects their readiness to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.

The commencement ceremony featured musical performances by the ��Ӱ��-Louisiana SOAP Notes, an a cappella group of osteopathic medical students, who sang both the national anthem and the alma mater. The event also included messages from Dean Mark A. Sanders, DO, JD, MPH, LLM, MS, FACOFP, FCLM, and Dean Emeritus Ray L. Morrison, DO, FACOS. DFACOS, who offered greetings from the American Osteopathic Association as the AOA speaker of the house.

The Class of 2025 entered ��Ӱ�� with a shared vision, captured in a statement they adopted at orientation: a pledge to honor the legacy of those before them and to serve underserved communities with humility, empathy, and integrity.

Commencement speaker Roderick Clark, MD, MBA, FACP, FASN, a respected nephrologist, chair of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and president of the Louisiana State Medical Society, offered graduates guidance grounded in a lifetime of experience.

Students, today you will receive your Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine. It’s been an eight-year journey for most of you to arrive at the foot of the mountain, and now the climb begins. The climb will be worth it, because the view and the sense of accomplishment are spectacular.

Roderick Clark, MD, MBA, FACP, FASN , Chair of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

With their education, values, and vision, the Class of 2025 is now moving forward to shape the future of healthcare, ready to serve, lead, and heal.

graduation

Louisiana

By Danielle Voumard -

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

ebailey — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:46:39 +0000

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025 ebailey Thu, 01/02/2025 - 10:46

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Tags: graduation

Location: ��Ӱ�� II

Campus: Virginia

When: May 2, 2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm EDT

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

ebailey — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:45:46 +0000

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025 ebailey Thu, 01/02/2025 - 10:45

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Tags: graduation

Location: DuPre House

Campus: Carolinas

When: May 15, 2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm EDT

graduation

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe Graduates 145 New Physicians

��Ӱ��-Virginia Celebrates its 20th Graduating Class

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026

Ordering Regalia

Diploma Information

Hotel Accommodations

While In Auburn

AOTourism

To find specific information please follow the links below:

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026

Schedule of Events

Ordering Regalia

Hotel Accommodations

While in Monroe

Diploma Frame Info

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

DIPLOMA INFORMATION

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Hotel Info

Diploma Information

��Ӱ�� Graduates More than 600 New Physicians Across Its Four Campuses

��Ӱ��-Louisiana Celebrates the Class of 2025: A New Generation of Osteopathic Physicians

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

graduation

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe Graduates 145 New Physicians

����Ӱ��-Virginia Celebrates its 20th Graduating Class

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026

Auburn Graduation Class of 2026

Ordering Regalia

Diploma Information

Hotel Accommodations

While In Auburn

AOTourism

To find specific information please follow the links below:

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026

Louisiana Graduation Class of 2026

Schedule of Events

Ordering Regalia

Hotel Accommodations

While in Monroe

Diploma Frame Info

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026

Carolinas Graduation Class of 2026

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

DIPLOMA INFORMATION

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Hotel Info

Diploma Information

����Ӱ�� Graduates More than 600 New Physicians Across Its Four Campuses

����Ӱ��-Louisiana Celebrates the Class of 2025: A New Generation of Osteopathic Physicians

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Virginia Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony Class of 2025

��Ӱ��-Virginia Celebrates its 20th Graduating Class

��Ӱ�� Graduates More than 600 New Physicians Across Its Four Campuses

��Ӱ��-Louisiana Celebrates the Class of 2025: A New Generation of Osteopathic Physicians