John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at University of Hawaii has 66 new first-year students studying to be doctors. There were more than 1600 applicants to enter the school. Their studies began in late July when they received their white coats and recited the Oath of Hippocrates, sacred to their profession, as they began their journey to become healers.
The entering class, made up of 40 women and 26 men, has joined 200 other students (second, third and fourth-year students) pursuing their MD degrees at JABSOM. JABSOM also oversees the post-MD medical training of another 250 physicians being supervised during their intern and residency years at Hawai`i’s major medical centers.
JABSOM is the overwhelming source of doctors treating patients in the state. About half of the practicing physicians in Hawai`i are graduates of JABSOM, its residency program and/or are on the faculty.
Interesting facts about the new class:
• This will be the first JABSOM class to use I-Pads for all their course work. Our curriculum has been adjusted to incorporate the Apple tablet computer.
• Average student age is 24. Range of ages is 20-33.
• 58 of the 66 are Hawai`i residents.
• 83% graduated from Hawai`i high schools (23 public, 32 private).
• The class includes two sets of siblings (brother and sister).
• The public schools with most entrants this year are Wai?kea and Roosevelt, with 3 each.
• Fourteen of the 66 have advanced degrees, including 13 holders of Master’s degrees and a PhD.
• 16 attended the University of Hawai`i at M?noa for their undergraduate studies.
• Seven students graduated from high schools on Hawai`i Island, two from high schools on Maui.
• 61% of the incoming students are women
