Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) preparing globally minded, community-focused osteopathic physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and advance research to improve human health.
Nestled along the shimmering waters of Bayou DeSiard on the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) campus, VCOM-Louisiana stands as the first and only osteopathic medical school in the state. Since its inception, VCOM-Louisiana has helped to bring new understanding to the region of both osteopathic medicine and the profound impact a dedicated group of students, guided by VCOM’s mission, can have on the communities they are committed to serving.
VCOM-Louisiana is one of VCOM’s four campuses; the others are located in Blacksburg, Virginia; Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Auburn, Alabama. VCOM’s mission is to educate physicians who will provide care in rural and medically underserved areas. More than a third of VCOM-Louisiana’s students hail from Louisiana, and nearly a quarter of VCOM graduates practice within 75 miles of their hometowns, highlighting the College’s dedication to training future physicians who are committed to returning to their communities and improving healthcare outcomes across Louisiana.
VCOM-Louisiana takes great pride in its partnership with ULM. As part of the larger Warhawk family, the two institutions collaborate on academic, research, recreational, and educational endeavors to train future healthcare professionals who are just as dedicated to their communities as they are to their studies—ready to make a meaningful impact where it’s needed most. VCOM-Louisiana Dean. Mark Sanders, DO, reflects, “At VCOM-Louisiana, we are committed to empowering the next generation of physicians to serve with excellence, compassion, and innovation. Monroe is the heart of that mission, where education meets community impact.”
VCOM-Louisiana currently has more than 600 students. In May 2024, the College celebrated a new chapter—both for the institution and the state—by graduating its first class of osteopathic physicians. The Class of 2024 marks a milestone for healthcare in Louisiana, with 139 graduates ready to address the physician shortage in the Delta and beyond.