Western University of Health Sciences Top L.A. Med School for Hispanics

Hispanic Business magazine has named Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) in Pomona, Calif., as the best medical school for Hispanics in Southern California.

COMP ranks 18th on the list and joins Stanford University as the only California schools in the top 20, according to Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Hispanic Business magazine’s national survey published in its September issue.

COMP’s program currently has 35 Hispanic students out of a total of 829 students, or 4.2 percent. University-wide, WesternU has 154 Hispanic students out of a total of 2,291, or 6.7 percent.

The Top 20 Best Medical Schools for Hispanics survey ranking is based on a point system for enrollment, faculty, student services, retention rate and reputation.

"COMP’s mission is to graduate caring, compassionate, lifelong learners with the distinctive osteopathic philosophy and return them to the community within which we live and serve," said COMP Dean Clinton Adams, DO, FAACP, FACHE. "The overwhelming focus of that effort is Southern California. We cannot achieve that mission if we do not reflect its cultural characteristics."

WesternU received a solid score all around, from the retention rate of Hispanic students to a good enrollment number and a good faculty score, said Michael Caplinger, research supervisor for Hispanic Business magazine. Put together, the school has a well-rounded program for its Hispanic students, he said.

"The goal of our school rankings is to provide our readers with a basis to begin their search for a graduate school that will be suitable for their needs," Caplinger said. "Schools such as Western that provide services and programs geared towards Hispanics deserve the recognition that goes with their efforts.