On May 9th, the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ (ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ)-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 ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ-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 ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ 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.
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.
