ATHENS, Ohio — To help ease the growing burden many hospitals nationwide are facing, Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Health Sciences and Professions are graduating medical and nursing students earlier than planned.
Instead of getting a degree on the previously scheduled dates of May 9 for Heritage College and May 2 for nursing students, nursing and medical students will receive their degrees on April 18.
The early graduation date allows graduates to enter the workforce earlier.
“Qualified nurses are essential to our state’s ability to test for COVID-19 and provide patient care,” said CHSP Dean Randy Leite in a news release. “This unprecedented circumstance has provided Ohio University with the opportunity to enact a creative and collaborative solution that provides needed healthcare support while ensuring that the standards and rigor of our nationally recognized nursing program remain intact.”
Many of the new physicians will be joining hospitals and health care systems in Ohio. The university said 72% of the 227 members of the 2020 class who sought residencies are staying in the state to practice medicine.
