Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) is proud to announce a significant improvement in its mission to expand healthcare availability to rural communities and address the shortage of primary care physicians in Texas. On May 19, 2023, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a legislative initiative that designates SHSU-COM as eligible for state formula funding. SHSU-COM is only the seventh public College of Osteopathic Medicine in the country and the first new school to be established with legislative support since 1977.
The formula funding will eliminate disparities between SHSU-COM tuition costs and tuition costs of all other Texas public medical schools and private schools. This will allow SHSU-COM to amplify its focus on training a new generation of osteopathic physicians to practice primary care medicine in rural, underserved and community-based settings without the burden of substantial student loan debt which often forces student doctors to prioritize higher-paying specialties over primary care. Additionally, the funding will help SHSU-COM attract talented individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds who might not otherwise pursue a medical education.
