California Health Sciences University
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Other name | CHSU |
---|---|
Motto | Cogito Cognosco Curo (Latin) |
Motto in English | Imagine, Learn, Heal |
Type | Private, for-profit[1] |
Established | 2012 |
President | Florence Dunn[2] |
Dean | John Graneto, DO Mark Okamoto, PharmD[3] |
Location | Clovis , California , United States 36°49′44″N 119°42′03″W / 36.8289°N 119.7007°W |
Campus | Suburban, 110 acres |
Website | chsu |
California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is a private, for-profit university located in Clovis, California. Founded in 2012, the school operates three academic programs, two of which offer doctoral degrees (in pharmacy and osteopathic medicine), and the third offers a masters degree in science. Graduates of the College of Pharmacy (COP) will receive the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree, graduates of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) will receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, and graduates of the College of Biosciences and Health Professions (CBHP) will receive the Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) degree. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is fully accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).[4] The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission and has approval to operate from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
History
CHSU was founded in 2012 to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in California's underserved Central Valley region.[5]
The first academic program launched was the College of Pharmacy in 2014, offering a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree. In 2020, CHSU established the College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) to train primary care physicians for the Central Valley, an area that previously lacked a medical school.[6]
Prior to CHSU-COM's opening, the Fresno area was the largest city in the United States without a medical school.[7] While UCSF Fresno, a regional campus of the UCSF School of Medicine, was established in 1975 to address physician shortages in the San Joaquin Valley, it never culminated into an independent medical school. The nearest medical schools were the UC Davis School of Medicine, 180 miles north in Sacramento, and Stanford University School of Medicine, 180 miles west in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Construction for CHSU-COM's campus broke ground in 2018, and the inaugural class commenced studies in the Fall of 2020. Despite controversies surrounding CHSU's for-profit status and high tuition costs, CHSU plays a vital role in providing medical education and training to the underserved Central Valley region. With the addition of CHSU-COM, it became the third osteopathic medical school in California, joining Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Vallejo and Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona.
College of Osteopathic Medicine
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is a four-year medical school located in Clovis, California. Established to address the need for primary care physicians in the Central Valley region, it confers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
In December 2018, CHSU-COM received approval to begin recruiting students, with the inaugural class commencing studies in the Fall of 2020.[8] This inaugural class achieved a 100% residency match rate. Among the graduates, 65% secured placements in primary care specialties, and 34% opted for residencies within the Central Valley region.[9][10]
CHSU-COM's curriculum includes a focus on culinary medicine, integrating nutrition and culinary skills into medical education in line with osteopathic principles.[11] The curriculum also incorporates Spanish language training to prepare students to serve the diverse patient populations in the region.[10]
In April 2024, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted CHSU-COM a seven-year accreditation term, the maximum accreditation term for a new medical school.[10] The institution utilizes technology such as HoloLens with 3D anatomical software, in lieu of traditional cadaver labs for anatomy instruction. Clerkships for third and fourth-year students primarily take place in the Clovis/Fresno area, with additional opportunities in surrounding regions and other parts of California through prior arrangements.
The World Directory of Medical Schools recognizes CHSU-COM as a US medical school along with other accredited US M.D. and D.O. programs.
College of Pharmacy
The College of Pharmacy (CHSU-COP) at California Health Sciences University offers a 4-year program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree. However, in 2020, the program encountered accreditation challenges when its pre-accreditation status with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) was withdrawn due to non-compliance with three out of 25 accreditation standards.[12]
In response, CHSU initiated a new accreditation application process in 2021 for a revised, 3-year Doctor of Pharmacy program. Unfortunately, the program was denied precandidate status by ACPE in 2022, with the option to appeal.[13] CHSU chose not to pursue an appeal.[14]
Despite these challenges, the current 4-year program remains open with ACPE candidate status through 2024. Current students can continue their education and sit for all state and/or national licensing exams for full licensure. They also remain eligible to apply for and pursue accredited pharmacy residencies.
However, applications for new students are no longer being accepted for the pharmacy program at this time.
College of Biosciences and Health Professions
The College of Biosciences and Health Professions (CHSU-CBHP) at California Health Sciences University offers two programs leading to a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) degree. These programs include a one-year non-Thesis track and a two-year Thesis track.
Both tracks aim to enhance students' academic credentials and critical thinking skills in preparation for careers in healthcare professions. The more extensive two-year Thesis track program provides additional preparation for roles in education, research, pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and various government agencies.
Graduates of the MSBS Program who meet specified requirements are guaranteed an interview with the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. However, admission is not guaranteed.
Campus
The California Health Sciences University campus consists of two sites, both located in Clovis, CA; one site at 120 N Clovis Ave and the second at 2500 Alluvial Ave.
The campus at 120 N Clovis Ave consists of a 30,000 sq-foot building housing the College of Pharmacy and the College of Biosciences and Health Professions. The facility also features large classrooms for lectures, a student lounge, student study rooms, and faculty and administrative offices.
The campus at 2500 Alluvial Ave consists of a 90,000 sq-foot three-story building, newly constructed in 2020, housing the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Simulation Center. The facility opened for instruction for its inaugural class of medical students in the fall of 2020 and incorporates innovative technology throughout. The facility features large classrooms, an Osteopathic Skills lab, a library, private and collaborative study spaces, a spacious student lounge with a Teaching Kitchen, and a Simulation Center.
The Simulation Center includes an inpatient area resembling a hospital environment and an outpatient area similar to a clinic or doctor’s office. The innovative Simulation Center was planned to maximize interactive learning and utilizes high tech medical manikins for simulating various medical conditions to facilitate student learning. The Center is utilized by other CHSU colleges for instruction as well. The CHSU Simulation Center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in Teaching/Education.
CHSU’s campus at 2500 Alluvial Ave consists of 110-acres with plans to eventually combine both sites into a single campus on Alluvial.
Student life
Students at California Health Sciences University (CHSU) enjoy access to over 50 clubs and organizations spanning both the College of Pharmacy and the College of Osteopathic Medicine. These clubs offer diverse opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities, professional development, and community outreach.
Throughout the academic year, students can participate in various local community outreach and mentorship programs. These initiatives include school fairs, hands-on educational workshops, and career fairs aimed at enriching student experiences and fostering community engagement.
Recent outreach programs at CHSU include:
- Career Fair at The Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART)
- Intro to Med School and Q&A at Buchanan High School
- Pulmonology Skills Lab at Caruthers High School
- Skills Labs & Workshops at Buchanan High School
- Skills Labs & Workshops at Madera High School
- UCSF Fresno Doctor’s Academy HEaL Conference 2023 at Caruthers High School
- Virtual Intro to Med School and Q&A
Additionally, students have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations within the College of Pharmacy and the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Some of these include:
- Advanced Human Anatomy Club (AHAC)
- American Colleges of Osteopathic Surgeons-Medical Student Session (ACOS-MSS)
- American Medical Association (AMA-MSS)
- American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
- American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA)
- American Society of Anesthesiologists – CHSU Student Chapter
- Armenian Student Association at CHSU
- Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
- Association of Women Surgeons
- California Pharmacist Association (CPhA)
- California Society of Health System Pharmacists (CSHP)
- Cardiovascular Interest Group
- Christian Medical Dental Association
- COM Student Government Association (COM SGA)
- Dermatology Interest Group
- DO Care Club
- Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)
- Internal Medicine Interest Group
- Kappa Psi
- Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
- Lavender Alliance (LA)
- Muslim Student Association
- OB/GYN Interest Group
- Oncology Interest Group
- Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Interest Group
- Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California – CHSU Chapter
- Pediatric Interest Group
- Phi Delta Chi (Professional Fraternity)
- Psychiatric Interest Group
- Radiology Student Club
- Sigma Sigma Phi Chapter at CHSU
- Simulation Club
- Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO)
- Student Art Club (Art-ery)
- Student Association of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (SAACOFP)
- Student Chapter of the Military Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS)
- Student Interest Group in Neurology
- Student Journal Club
- Student National Pharmaceutical Association
- Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
- Student Senate
- The Vocal Chords
- Valley Mentors
- Valley Reach Club
- Wellness and Wilderness Medicine Club
- White Coats for Black Lives Student Chapter
See also
References
- ↑ "Planned Clovis medical school deserves Valley's support". The Fresno Bee. November 26, 2016.
- ↑ "CALIFORNIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY TO GRADUATE FIRST CLASS". The Business Journal. February 27, 2018.
- ↑ Camacho, Ron (February 24, 2020). "CHSU Appoints Dean of Pharmacy". Clovis Roundup.
- ↑ "American Osteopathic Association website" (PDF).
- ↑ "About CHSU". chsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ↑ "Home". College of Osteopathic Medicine. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ↑ Reed, Randy (12 February 2019). "New Medical School Offers Peek at Its State-of-the-Art Technology". GV Wire.
- ↑ Valera, Dennis (December 20, 2018). "Central Valley's first four-year medical school officially can take applications". Your Central Valley.
- ↑ "CHSU-COM Becomes Newest AACOM Member College". American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. AACOM.
- 1 2 3 Contributed (2024-04-10). "CHSU Medical School receives seven-year accreditation". Clovis Roundup. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ↑ "Home". College of Osteopathic Medicine. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ↑ https://apps.acpe-accredit.org/standApp/upload/ACPEStatementoftheReasonsforWithdrawalofPreaccreditationStatus.pdf
- ↑ https://apps.acpe-accredit.org/standApp/upload/ACPEStatementOfTheReasonsForWithdrawalOfAccreditationStatusCHSUJan2022LH.pdf
- ↑ Amaro, Yesenia (March 7, 2022). "For-profit Clovis university suspends pharmacy program after pre-accreditation denial". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023.