Samuel Merritt University Announces New Guaranteed Interview Partnership with OCOM, Expanding Pathways for MBS Students
Samuel Merritt University (SMU), a leader in healthcare education for over a century, has launched a new partnership with the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) to help more aspiring physicians take the next step toward medical school. As part of the collaboration, eligible students from SMU’s Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) program will be guaranteed an interview with OCOM, a growing institution committed to educating physicians who lead with innovation and compassion. The partnership reinforces SMU’s growing network of Guaranteed Interview Partnerships, which create structured pathways for students pursuing medical education and ultimately strengthen the healthcare workforce serving communities nationwide.
“This collaboration reflects SMU’s dedication to expanding access to healthcare careers and supporting students who are ready to serve,” said Dr. Sathees Chandra, PhD, Dean of the SMU College of Health Sciences. “We are proud to help remove barriers for students who feel called to medicine and provide more opportunities to address urgent physician shortages across the country.”
Located in Winter Garden, Florida, OCOM is part of the Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel Global University (KPGU) is training the next generation of physicians equipped to improve health outcomes across Central Florida and beyond.
“OCOM is going to change healthcare for the region for generations to come,” stated Dr. Robert Hasty, dean and chief academic officer of OCOM. “With an innovative medical school curriculum meticulously crafted by our esteemed faculty, our institution stands at the forefront of modern medical education. The educational journey that awaits our future medical students promises to be transformative. They will enter from esteemed schools like Samuel Merritt University and emerge as highly proficient and caring physicians, expected to contribute to the physician shortage within the Central Florida community.”
This partnership gives students a direct line to medical school training and the support to get there. Together, SMU and OCOM are investing in the future of patient care by investing in the students who will deliver it.
About Samuel Merritt University
Since 1909, Samuel Merritt University (SMU) has been a leader in healthcare education, preparing students to meet critical workforce needs across California. With campuses in Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula, and Fresno, SMU has continually expanded its impact, becoming a doctoral-granting institution in 2002. In 2024, SMU opened its Fresno campus to address Central Valley healthcare challenges. The new City Center Campus in downtown Oakland will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a Health Sciences Simulation Center and a Motion Analysis Research Center, reinforcing SMU’s commitment to training compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals. To learn more about programs and admissions, visit www.samuelmerritt.edu.
About Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine
Located in Winter Garden, FL, OCOM is Florida’s newest college of osteopathic medicine. OCOM’s mission is to train the next generation of caring and competent physicians with a strong emphasis on innovation, compassion, and community service. OCOM is committed to advancing the field through scholarship and discovery. OCOM proudly leads initiatives that support the growth of osteopathic medicine across the country. OCOM is a unit of the Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel Global University (KPGU).
