From classroom to clinic: Ohio State College of Medicine students mark transition to clinical training

Nearly two years ago, they first slipped into short white coats as new medical students, carrying more questions than answers. Last month, those same coats felt different.

During the Student Clinician’s Ceremony at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, rising third-year students marked their transition from preclinical coursework to clinical training — returning to a familiar symbol with hard-earned knowledge, growing confidence and a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with caring for patients.

The moment held special significance in Lima, Ohio, where the inaugural cohort of the Community Medicine MD Track (CMT) celebrated this transition as they participated in the program’s first-ever Student Clinician’s Ceremony.

“It’s a huge milestone for our students and for the College of Medicine,” said Amy Moore, MD, interim dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine. “Moments like this remind us why we do this work as a land-grant institution: To care for people in communities across Ohio. Our students are here to learn alongside those who are already leading the way.”

The CMT program is designed to prepare learners to practice medicine in smaller cities and rural communities, ultimately improving health and well-being in Ohio and beyond. Students spend the first two years of medical school in Columbus and then transition to The Ohio State University at Lima for their third and fourth years, where they gain clinical experience at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. The first cohort consists of 12 students. Nearly 200 of their classmates will continue their clinical experience in Columbus.

Seth Dotson, a third-year CMT student from St. George, Utah, said he is excited to start his clinical experiences in Lima.

“It’s nice to be in such a big class with so many different perspectives back in Columbus, and then come back to a small town where I can bring some of the insight I’ve gained and start more hands-on training,” said Dotson. “Columbus is phenomenal, but there’s something different being here in Lima, where there’s a sense of community and a slower pace that I’m really drawn to.”

Third-year CMT student Rachael Black grew up in the small southwest Ohio community of Bethel and saw firsthand the gaps in healthcare access that persist in rural areas.

“It’s awesome to finally be here,” Black said. “I’m excited to develop my own personal style as a doctor and really connect with patients who remind me of home.”

Matt Owens, MD, chief clinical officer at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s, said it was clear the students already cared deeply about serving patients in Lima.

“We're so excited that you've picked this as your journey in medical school,” Dr. Owens told the students during their Student Clinician’s Ceremony. “So many people in these buildings are ready to teach you and help you grow into physicians.”

“We believe that this is a really special niche in medical education,” he said. “We hope that through this program, we can demonstrate that training and serving in an area like this for your career is a great way to serve your patients."