A Promising Start: DO/MPH Program’s First Graduates Secure Top Residencies

Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) celebrated the graduation of their first cohort from the Dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Master of Public Health (MPH) program this past May.

The four students—all of whom have secured residencies at well-respected medical programs—are an encouraging first step for the new program, which is setting its sights on establishing itself as the benchmark for healthcare leadership:

• Elissa (Ellie) Port—Pediatrics at Los Angeles General Medical Center/USC.
• Sumita Mitra—General Surgery at Virtua Health in New Jersey.
• Ilish Gedestad—OB/GYN at Loma Linda University Health.
• Katie Bachand—Family Medicine at Southwest Healthcare/Temecula Valley Hospital.

The collaboration leans on WesternU’s medical expertise and CGU’s public health focus to teach practitioners how to navigate today’s complex healthcare landscape, where community health and addressing disparities are paramount.

Dr. Andrew Pumerantz, DO, MPH, professor of Population Health Science at WesternU and adjunct professor at CGU, highlighted what makes this new program unique.

“By integrating medical education with public health principles, we’re preparing our graduates to lead in a healthcare environment that values comprehensive, community-focused care.”

Dr. Bree Hemingway, PHD, MPH, CHES, assistant clinical professor at the School of Community & Global Health at CGU and co-director of the DO/MPH program, highlights what makes this program innovative.

“By combining their medical training with a public health perspective, these future leaders will be equipped to make a profound impact, improving care and health outcomes for the people they serve. Supporting these students means investing in a brighter, more equitable future for healthcare, and I am thrilled to be part of this journey.”

Looking ahead, CGU and WesternU are hoping to expand access to the DO/MPH program by seeking philanthropic support to establish an educational endowment fund. This would reduce the financial barriers for future students while enabling a more diverse group to benefit from this transformative program.

If you’re passionate about blending clinical practice with public health to create meaningful change in healthcare, you can learn more about the DO/MPH program here.