HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER GRADUATES MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

FORT WORTH, Texas -- More than 130 students are expected to graduate from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at a June 6 commencement ceremony at the Fort Worth Convention Center Theater. Charles B. Mullins, M.D., executive vice chancellor for health affairs of the University of Texas system, will be the guest speaker. The graduation event begins at 2 p.m.

The graduating classes include the largest class of osteopathic physicians in the history of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, with 115 doctors of osteopathic medicine. Forty-three of the 115 graduates achieved a final average of 90 or above.

Biomedical scientists and public health professionals will be awarded degrees from the health science center's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Sixteen students will be awarded degrees from the graduate school, including master's and doctorate degrees.

This is the 25th commencement for the health science center, a fully accredited, public institution located in Fort Worth's Cultural District. Prior to commencement, graduates will be honored at an awards banquet Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Worthington Hotel.

Charles B. Mullins, M.D., is a widely recognized leader in Texas medical education. As 1998 commencement speaker for the health science center, Dr. Mullins will receive a Doctor of Public Service honorary degree. Dr. Mullins has dedicated more than 30 years to improving health care and health care education in Texas. He plays a key role in guiding medical and health science institutions as they respond to rapidly evolving changes in health education and delivery requirements.

The UNT Health Science Center's Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine now has almost 2,000 alums. Nearly 70 percent of the school's graduate physicians practice primary care ‹ such as internal medicine, family medicine, OB/GYN and pediatrics ‹ in rural and underserved urban communities of Texas.

The osteopathic medical degree, doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.), is the only other degree in addition to M.D. that qualifies physicians to be licensed for the entire scope of medicine. A D.O. pursues a preventive, whole-person approach to illness and disease, and emphasizes patient participation in maintaining good health. D.O.s, like their M.D. counterparts, practice in all medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.