Thirty qualified University of the Pacific seniors will be guaranteed admission to the medical school at Touro University California each year under a new partnership between the two institutions.

Pacific students who meet the GPA and standardized test requirements will earn automatic admission to the College of Osteopathic Medicine on Touro’s Vallejo campus. Osteopathic medicine is a holistic approach to medical care in which the entire patient is treated rather than just symptoms. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our students seeking a career in medicine by providing a clear pathway to medical school,” said Maria Pallavicini, provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs. “This partnership also will greatly impact the region by training a diverse group of highly qualified students who are likely to stay in the area and fill the growing need for physicians.” 

The United States could see a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, according to a report from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The existing shortage of primary care clinicians is especially high in California’s Central Valley. 

Pacific’s diverse student body (36% identify as Asian and 25% Hispanic) also can help meet the need for physicians from underserved communities. Research has shown students from underserved communities are more likely to work in those areas.

“I'm very excited about the opportunity to partner with University of the Pacific to help build a more diverse physician workforce,” said Tami Hendriksz, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and chief academic officer at Touro. “The alignment of our missions makes this partnership an ideal way to creatively address the projected physician shortages in our communities. The team at University of the Pacific has been great to work with, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.”

To qualify for the guaranteed admission program, Pacific students must have earned science and cumulative GPAs of 3.5 or better, attained a Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) score of at least 505 and completed 100 hours of volunteering with osteopathic physicians, primary care clinics or underserved communities, among other criteria. Students do not need to be in a specific major.

Pacific students also will be guaranteed admission to two other programs at Touro under the new partnership agreement:

•    Master of Public Health (10 students annually), which trains students to be leaders in research, education and policymaking.
•    Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences (10 students annually). The one-year program makes students stronger candidates for medical school and opens the door for other healthcare-related opportunities.