KGI Post-Bac Students Tour WesternU to Explore CPM and COMP Programs

On the Pomona, California campus of Western University of Health Sciences, a group of eager postbaccalaureate students from Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) embarked on a journey of discovery Friday, March 22, 2024. Their destination: the well-regarded College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) and the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP).

The students received much-needed information about both colleges, gaining a hands-on introduction to suturing and a demonstration of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM).

The day started with a tour from COMP and CPM Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships Tom Fox.

The day included CPM and COMP admissions presentations led by Assistant Director of Admissions Martha Alfaro, CPM curriculum and podiatry surgery presentation and a hands-on suturing workshop led by CPM Assistant Professor Mary Schuh-Clark, DPM, lunch with CPM Class of 2026 students Joel Pereira and Selma Koo, and a COMP presentation from OMM Fellows Vivian Hoang and Nikki Villarosa.

“My students from KGI are visiting WesternU to see for themselves what opportunities await here,” said KGI Senior Director and Instructor of Postbaccalaureate Programs Joon Kim, EdD. “It’s part of their experiential learning to not only learn about the admission process but really go and see for themselves.”

He added, “KGI has about 40 total postbaccalaureate students. Out of those 40, 30 of them are looking to go to medical school, so we are looking at COMP and CPM because that’s one of those hidden gems that I think more pre-med students should at least take a look at. That leaves 10 students who are interested in the Physician Assistant pathway.”

Shoutout to CPM Administrative Associate Hingrit Avendano de Cruz for helping organize the day for prospective students.