Women Continue to Make up Growing Percentage of Osteopathic Medical Students

Women now represent 55 percent of first-year, and 52.9 percent of total, enrollees

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – As it celebrates Women in Medicine Month this September, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) today released new research showing that women are continuing to enroll in osteopathic medical school in increasing numbers and are a growing majority of all osteopathic medical students.

Compared to the year before, new data show that for 2022-2023, women account for:

• 5.9 percent more first-year enrollees
• 7.3 percent more total enrollees

Across colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs), women represent:

• 55 percent of first-year enrollees
• 52.9 percent of total enrollees

“Since 2019, women have represented more than 50 percent of osteopathic medical school applicants and matriculants, and since 2021, more than 50 percent of total enrollees,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “The precedent to enroll women in osteopathic medical schools was set back in 1892 when the American School of Osteopathy opened. Our very first class of 21 students included six women. It took a long time to achieve gender parity in our COMs, but I am proud to see us upholding the osteopathic tradition of inclusion.”

For more information, please view AACOM’s first-year and total enrollment by gender reports. For AACOM’s latest research reports, visit: https://www.aacom.org/news-reports/ome-research.

About AACOM

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more than 35,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 65 teaching locations in 35 states.

Contacts:

Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org

Christine DeCarlo
Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org