Officials from Troy University and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday establishing a student pipeline between the institutions.

TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., and ACOM Dean Dr. Craig Lenz signed the agreement, which gives ACOM admission priority to TROY students who meet certain criteria, including meeting thresholds for grade point average and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score.

“Fortunately for our students, for TROY and for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, we share a great relationship,” Hawkins said. “We partnered together from the very outset of ACOM, and I’ve been thrilled to see its evolution and the differences it’s beginning to make in the quality of health care in Alabama and throughout this country. We’re very pleased to be part of that, to be able to provide quality students who are well prepared to make a difference in the health professions.”

TROY students identified by advisors will be guaranteed interviews for admission to ACOM, a key factor given ACOM’s large number of applicants.

“We had 4,500 applicants last year, and we interviewed in the range of 650,” Lenz said. “You can’t get a spot in medical school without an interview. This agreement formalizes something called the Legacy program, where if the applicant is someone from TROY, we will make sure they get an interview. That’s a real step up and an opportunity for them to show what they can do and how they can contribute.”

Eight of ACOM’s 11 TROY graduates are working in primary care, fueling ACOM’s mission to improve health care in Alabama.

“This is a significant relationship that we believe will make a significant long-term contribution to Alabama,” Lenz said. “This is a chance for both institutions to grow, prosper, be successful and contribute to health care needs in the region and beyond.”

As part of the agreement, ACOM will also provide in-person guidance to TROY students and also to faculty members looking to prepare those students for medical school.

“This partnership enhances students’ chances of success,” Hawkins said. “If they come to TROY and follow the guidance, they’ll be assured an interview and consideration with ACOM. That’s not a guarantee for admission, but we know from our success rate that if they do what they’re supposed to do when they’re with us and follow that path, we can help them become not only a medical student but a professional physician.”

A photo gallery from the signing can be found here.