University of Findlay and Ohio University form Early Assurance Partnership for medical school

The University of Findlay and Ohio University have formed an Early Assurance Partnership that will help University of Findlay students ensure they are on the right path to enter into Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. The partnership will give students the guidance and assurance they need to continue their educational journey toward earning a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

According to an article on the University of Findlay’s website, Nikki Hintze, who serves as the vice president for enrollment and marketing at the University of Findlay, was quoted as saying of the new partnership, “The University of Findlay was selected among an elite group of academic institutions to partner with Ohio University to provide this enhanced opportunity, in which students will benefit from excellent advising and mentorship from both institutions, greater access to diverse learning environments, and a potential fast-track toward a degree in osteopathic medicine.”

The Early Assurance Partnership will allow University of Findlay students who are studying biology and biochemistry and seek to pursue a medical career a guaranteed pathway to Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Qualified students will be identified early in their Findlay University studies, and they will complete their bachelor degree coursework there before transferring to Ohio University to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, which they can do in as little as seven years.

This partnership will take effect with the Fall 2027 semester, with the inaugural cohort of students taking part in experiential learning, networking opportunities, and virtual and in-person mentorship meetings with OU-HCOM personnel. Some students who are involved in the Early Assurance Partnership may even be granted direct entry into medical school, which will save them time before they can begin practicing medicine.

Bethany Henderson-Dean, PhD, who is an associate professor and chair of the department of biology at the University of Findlay, said, “We are proud to be part of a small, exclusive cohort of institutions that can offer our students a direct pathway into OU-HCOM. Through this partnership, our students will have opportunities to build relationships with health care professionals, gain meaningful hands-on experiences, and develop the skills and confidence they need to prepare for success in medical school.”

For more information about the University of Findlay, visit the school’s website.