The Kansas Health Science University-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSU-KansasCOM) proudly announces that 24 of its students, approximately 10% of the student population, are enrolled in military scholarship programs, a testament to their commitment to both their medical education and their nation.
KHSU-KansasCOM facilitates numerous students through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), offering full tuition, a monthly stipend, and additional benefits. This support enables students to focus on their medical education. After graduation, they will commence service as commissioned officers in various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, responsible for delivering vital medical care in both military hospitals and potentially, combat zones.
Additionally, KHSU-KansasCOM partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to support veterans who want to obtain their medical education, allowing them to utilize their GI bill as a tuition supplement.
This commitment to military medicine is part of a long-standing tradition in osteopathic medicine dating back to the landmark moment in 1967 when doctors of osteopathy were first allowed to be commissioned into the military medical corps. Among the vanguard was Dr. Dan Witt, an osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) professor at KHSU-KansasCOM who was one of the first DOs drafted during the Vietnam War and served a distinguished career in America’s special operations forces.
Student Doctor Joseph Wohler presents a challenge coin to Lt Col Mike Zeola, MD, during a recent event on campus. Dr. Zeola, an esteemed MD in psychiatry, serves as the Commander of the 22d Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base.
Joseph Wohler, a second-year student doctor and the current president of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons (SAMOPS), expresses his enthusiasm for his dual role. “Our motto, ‘Serving Those That Serve,’ truly encapsulates our group’s ethos here at KansasCOM,” Wohler says. “Our OMM department, which distinguishes us as DOs, includes many instructors who are former or current military members who were also HPSP recipients. Their presence creates a unique environment that enriches our education and strengthens our commitment to serve both as physicians and military officers.”
The presence of active and retired veterans among the KHSU-KansasCOM faculty provides students with unmatched insights and understanding of the commitments and sacrifices associated with military service. This presence of veterans is integral to the school’s educational approach, offering a supportive environment that guides the next generation of military physicians.
These student doctors are preparing for futures that combine medical excellence with military service, and the unity and shared mission within the student body are evident. SAMOPS leads initiatives that offer mentorship, professional development, and community service opportunities, benefiting both military and civilian communities.
KHSU-KansasCOM continues to uphold its mission to develop empathetic health care leaders who are adept in their fields and committed to advancing underserved communities. The dedication and resilience of these military scholars embody the core values of KHSU-KansasCOM and inspire all to pursue excellence in their professional and personal endeavors.