FSU, MSOM Enter into Partnership Guaranteeing Students Formal Interviews

FSU, MSOM Enter into Partnership Guaranteeing Students Formal Interviews

Nov 11, 2025 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University recently entered a partnership with Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) that guarantees a formal interview opportunity for eligible FSU students upon the successful completion of academic requirements to create a structured pathway for them to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at MSOM.

"We are thrilled to partner with MSOM to create new opportunities for our students who aspire to careers in medicine," said FSU's interim president Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD. "This agreement not only affirms the exceptional preparation our students receive at Frostburg but also provides them with a clear and supportive pathway to pursue their dreams. By guaranteeing qualified applicants a formal interview, we are strengthening our shared commitment to cultivating the next generation of compassionate and skilled physicians."

Meritus Health is Western Maryland's largest healthcare provider, and MSOM is committed to recruiting highly qualified candidates for its osteopathic medical program. As part of this agreement, Frostburg will provide a robust pre-medical curriculum and dedicated advising to support students pursuing medical careers.

"This new partnership with MSOM offers our students an opportunity to interview with an osteopathic medical program located only 75 minutes from FSU in Hagerstown, Md.," said Karen Keller, PhD, coordinator of FSU's Health Science Program. "The proximity of MSOM to FSU and the shared focus on community engagement makes MSOM a very attractive choice for many of our pre-medical students. We're very proud of our alumni who have attended professional schools and it's because of their reputations that we are able to expand our partnerships with programs such as those at MSOM and we're excited to get started."

Chanté Richardson, PhD, MBA, Associate Dean of Student Services and Community Engagement at MSOM, noted the partnership has multiple benefits for students. "Beyond the guaranteed interview, students will gain early access to valuable pre-medical resources, including MCAT preparation workshops, D.O. student shadowing opportunities, and other MSOM-sponsored pre-admission activities designed to support students on their journey to medical school." Richardson continued, "The mission of MSOM is to train physicians who will be socially responsible, professionally accomplished, and community oriented."

Final admission decisions remain at the discretion of MSOM's Admissions Committee. For more information, visit https://www.msom.org.