MSOM
Meritus Health
MSOM

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine

Community is the MSOM Difference

Western Maryland's largest healthcare provider, with a 120-year legacy of providing community-based care, is proud to be launching the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine to train physicians who will be socially responsible, professionally accomplished, and community oriented. 

Become a community-oriented physician.

Our goal is to educate great doctors who have experience engaging in the community. Click below to see the impact of the ways Meritus cares for its community. Medical students will have volunteer and research opportunities to participate in these initiatives and more.

Shape your medical future.

Benefit from hands-on learning and an expanding residency program at Meritus Health, preparing you for a successful medical career. 

 

Addressing Community Health Needs

Meritus Health has been doing community-based care for over 120 years. To us, this means living our mission every single day by engaging with the community to serve all of their health needs whatever it may take. For example, here are just some of the community-based initiatives we're doing today:

  • Giving free groceries to our neediest patients at our practice locations
  • Weekly conversations with patients who indicate they lack social companionship
  • Employing a fleet of vans and drivers so nobody misses an appointment due to lack of transportation 
  • Providing over $65M in community benefit including over $12M in free medical care

MSOM is taking that tradition of caring for the community and incorporating it into our curriculum. 

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"Our mission is to improve health in the region," explained Meritus Health President and CEO Maulik Joshi. "As an anchor organization for this community, it is our privilege and obligation to positively impact the lives of over 200,000 people in our region. The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine will do that. It will change the game for the health, education and economy for everyone."

The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine

supports a growing need

There is a growing shortage of physicians, and there are not enough new physicians being produced. Maryland is graduating fewer physicians, relative to population, than any other state.

124K

PHYSICIANS

National projected shortage of physicians by 2030

52

PHYSICIANS

Current Shortage in Washington County, Maryland

1 in 3

PHYSICIANS

is over the age of 60

Keep Up With Us

News & Updates

MSOM NEWS:MSOM Student Archita Padmanabhan Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board
Aug 25, 2025

MSOM Student Archita Padmanabhan Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board

Archita Padmanabhan (OMS-I) has been appointed to the Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians (MAOP) Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term. The advisory board is a dedicated group of students committed to advancing medical education, advocacy, and professional development. The board plays a pivotal role in shaping MAOP initiatives by providing valuable insights, leadership, and fresh ideas from a student’s perspective. Advisory board members’ contributions help ensure programs remain innovative, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of osteopathic physicians in training.

MSOM NEWS:MSOM Student Lavinia Harrison Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board
Aug 21, 2025

MSOM Student Lavinia Harrison Appointed to the MAOP Student Advisory Board

Lavinia Harrison (OMS-I) has been appointed to the Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians (MAOP) Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term. The advisory board is a dedicated group of students committed to advancing medical education, advocacy, and professional development. The board plays a pivotal role in shaping MAOP initiatives by providing valuable insights, leadership, and fresh ideas from a student’s perspective. Advisory board members’ contributions help ensure programs remain innovative, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of osteopathic physicians in training.

MSOM NEWS:MSOM students receive white coats, mark milestone
Jul 28, 2025

MSOM students receive white coats, mark milestone

Inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine participates in tradition symbolizing start of their journey to becoming a physician. HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Members of the inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine marked a milestone Friday, receiving their white medical coats symbolizing their start on the journey to becoming doctors of osteopathic medicine. The ceremony, the culmination of a week of orientation for the students, is a tradition for medical students. “This ceremony is not only a rite of passage, but also a visible reminder of the responsibility our students are about to embrace,” said Chanté Richardson, Ph.D., MBA, associate dean of student services and community engagement. The class of 97 students were joined by hundreds of family and friends who filled the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Conference Center in the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall. “I know we all got here because someone helped us,” said Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., president of the medical school. “Be it a parent, a family member, a friend, a spouse, a teacher, a physician. And that help is going to continue on your journey here at MSOM.” He noted that the students, being the first class of the new medical school, would have upon their graduation the privilege of signing a steel beam that was signed by Meritus staff and community members when the academic hall was constructed. “As the inaugural class, you're the foundation for the future,” he said. “That steel beam represents the foundation of the academic building, just as all of you represent the foundation of this medical school.” The beam is on display in the school lobby. Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services, presented a state flag that flew atop the Maryland State House in Annapolis. He noted that the state and nation is in desperate need of physicians. In fact, there will be a projected shortage of 124,000 physicians in the United States by 2030. There is a shortage of roughly 50 physicians just in Washington County, Md. MSOM was built to help solve the shortage crisis locally and in Maryland. It’s the first civilian medical school to open its doors in the state in more than 100 years. “There is a reason the governor chose to fly this flag on July 4,” Chaudhry said. “July 4 is symbolic, not only of the birth of our nation, but also of growth and prosperity. And that is just like here today, it’s a symbol of a new beginning.” Meena Seshamani, M.D., Ph.D., the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, congratulated the students on their achievement and what they are about to become. “The journey you all are about to embark on will allow you to challenge yourselves, to grow professionally and personally, and you’ll support each other,” she said. “You're going to be able to help this health system and this school to grow.” Dr. Seshamani noted the importance of the students being part of the first class. “You all will be the epitome of what it means to practice holistic care,” she said. “It will be your faces, hands and brains driving all of that forward, not only for the state of Maryland, but also for the country.” Brian Kessler, D.O., dean of MSOM, encouraged the students to take to heart what they will learn. “Go out and change lives,” he said. To learn more about the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, visit msom.org.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

We Need Your Support

By supporting the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, you are directly impacting the health of our region. We are thrilled to develop a customized giving plan to support what matters most to you.