2/11/25

By FHSU University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – On a cold Tuesday morning in late January, a van full of freshman pre-med students and several professors from Fort Hays State University made the nearly three-hour journey to Wichita for a much-anticipated campus visit to the Kansas Health Science University – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSU – KansasCOM).

Eligible for the new admissions partnership agreement between FHSU and KHSU – KansasCOM, a program designed to help address Kansas’ physician shortage, these students were able to get an in-depth look at what the KHSU – KansasCOM campus had to offer.

After an initial meet and greet with KHSU – KansasCOM admissions team members, students were given a tour of the facilities, starting with a chance to engage with the state-of-the-art virtual equipment in the HoloAnatomy lab. Students had the opportunity to try out augmented reality devices that bring the college's library of 3D anatomical structures to life in ways that allowed for interactive examination of the structures inside a physical space.

“What most impressed me during the visit was how technologically focused the entire medical school was,” said Ella Coloson, FHSU freshman biology major. “The cadaver lab headsets were definitely the most impressive and I love the idea of allowing students to still be able to learn anatomy without the smell of formaldehyde. This is especially nice for students who aren't necessarily looking to be surgeons.”

Students then toured the Simulation Center, a 22,000-square-foot clinical learning center. This space is designed to model a variety of environments, including a hospital room wing and an outpatient wing that is set up like a clinic or doctor’s office. These spaces allow KHSU – KansasCOM students access to cutting-edge technological resources to bolster their program experience and improve their ability to discover techniques for optimal patient care.

The FHSU students finished their tour with an in-depth question and answer session held in the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Lab. Here, the students learned more about their options, including the traditional path into medical school, which consists of acquiring their 4-year bachelor's degree, taking the MCAT exam, and applying to KHSU – KansasCOM during that final year. Alternatively, students learned how to plan for and apply to the new partnership program.

The FHSU and KHSU – KansasCOM partnership agreement allows select Fort Hays State University students to accelerate their career path with a 3+4 program. Qualified students who meet admission requirements can begin their first year of medical school in their senior year of undergraduate studies at FHSU. After completing their first year at KHSU – KansasCOM, students will receive their bachelor’s degree from FHSU and be able to complete their medical degree in seven years.

“This partnership with KansasCOM is an exciting opportunity to support our biology pre-med students while addressing the state’s growing demand for healthcare providers,” said Dr. Claudia Carvalho, assistant professor of biology at FHSU. “Our students are eager to gain early exposure to an innovative curriculum, cutting-edge technology, and hands-on training from KansasCOM—all while completing their bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays State University.”

About KHSU – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSU – KansasCOM)
KHSU – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed its inaugural class in August 2022. Implementing a curriculum that is student-focused, patient-centered, and community-based, the mission of the nonprofit institution is to train osteopathic physicians to provide effective, empathetic, and innovative care to optimize the health of patients and their communities. Located in downtown Wichita, KHSU – KansasCOM is the first osteopathic medical school in Kansas. Learn more at KansasCOM.org.

About Fort Hays State University

FHSU is a regional comprehensive public university where determined, innovative, and caring faculty and staff share a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring students. Total enrollment at FHSU exceeds 14,000 students who pursue their educational goals on-campus, online, and at our two international partnership campuses in China.

A combination of challenging academic programs, close faculty/student relationships, and abundant experiential learning opportunities are all hallmarks of the FHSU student experience. More than 95 percent of FHSU graduates secure jobs or move on to new higher education pursuits after graduation.