Date:	May 12 , 2007
Contact:	Ellen Averill, OSU Center for Health Sciences (918) 561-8215

OSU Medicine graduates 83 new physicians

TULSA, Okla. – A total of 83 graduates received Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees from the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Tulsa Community College Southeast campus.

In addition, the OSU Center for Health Sciences conferred graduate degrees in biomedical sciences and forensic sciences.

Five Oklahomans received Distinguished Public Service awards. The awards are given for development of medical education so as to embody the highest standards of excellence and dedicated teaching; improvements in health care for the community, state, and nation; and for advancement of ideals that contribute to building a better society

The 2007 award recipients were instrumental in guiding legislation and other efforts to help secure the school’s graduate medical education program through Senate Bill 1771 and the creation of the Oklahoma Medical Authority. Honored were Oklahoma Sen. Tom Adelson, Rep. Chris Benge, business executive Edward F. Keller, Rep. Lucky Lamons and Sen. Mike Mazzei.

Providing physicians to rural Oklahoma is one of the College's missions.  More than 2,200 osteopathic physicians have graduated from the college since 1977. Currently, 51 percent of OSU Medicine graduates remain in active practice Oklahoma; 21 percent in communities of fewer than 10,000 residents and 16 percent in communities of fewer than 7,500 residents.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, Okla., offers programs in osteopathic medicine, biomedical sciences and forensic sciences, with an emphasis on preparing physicians for rural and under-served Oklahoma. The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has been nationally ranked by U.S.News & World Report as one of the top medical schools in the nation for the past seven years. OSU operates six clinics, five in Tulsa and one in Enid. More information about OSU Center for Health Sciences is available at www.healthsciences.okstate.edu.