Seven dozen medical students disperse across the Mid-South for clinical rotations

Marking significant milestone for first class of Baptist University College
of Osteopathic Medicine students

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The first-ever third-year class of students of Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine began their clinical rotations in the Mid-South this August, marking a significant milestone in their medical training.

The 74 students will begin their clinical training at the following hospitals in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee: Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center will have nine students, Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto will have nine students, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle will have three students, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis will have 22 students, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi will have five students, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County will have five students, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center will have 19 students and NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital will have two students.

"This is an incredible milestone for the students and faculty of Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine," said Hampton Hopkins, president of Baptist Health Sciences University. "All of the students that started with our inaugural class in 2024 are continuing to the next phase of their training. As they advance professionally and in their practice of medicine, they will help strengthen our community, reduce the gaps in medical care and increase access to high-quality health care professionals across the region."

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a shortage of almost 70,000 primary care physicians by 2036 and an equal shortage of specialty physicians.

"I am so proud of these students and their dedication to their training and this region," Hopkins said. "Data show many medical students often stay in the communities where they train. Our hope is that these students will choose to stay in the Mid-South and make a difference for the next generation of patients."

Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine is the first school for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in Memphis and West Tennessee and one of 15 majors of study offered by the university. As part of Baptist Memorial Health Care, one of the country's largest not-for-profit health care systems with 25 hospitals across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine students have the unique opportunity to study and train at some of the best hospitals and with one of the largest multispecialty physician groups in the Mid-South. Like medical doctors, DOs complete four years of medical school, followed by residency and fellowship training. The primary campus for the school includes a 100,000-square-foot building with the latest medical technology in Memphis' medical district.

SOURCE Baptist Memorial Health Care