Burrell College celebrates largest graduating class
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — About 150 graduating student doctors from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine walked the stage to receive their degrees on Friday, May 9.
The spring 2025 commencement ceremony took place on May 9 at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces.
According to the news release by Burrell College, 151 graduating student doctors participated in the commencement ceremony, the largest graduating class of any regional medical school this year.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Kevin O'Connor, a retired U.S. Army colonel and the former White House physician to former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush, Burrell College said.
'This commencement ceremony is more than a celebration — it's a testament to the resilience, determination, and heart of our students,' said John Hummer, president of Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. 'Each graduate represents not only years of rigorous training, but a deep commitment to improving the lives of others through medicine. We are proud to see them begin their careers as physicians, and we know they will carry forward Burrell's mission of serving underserved and rural communities across the country.'
Graduates from the Class of 2025 have matched into the following residency programs:
Allergy and immunology
Anesthesiology
Dermatology
Diagnostic radiology
Emergency medicine
Family medicine
Internal medicine
Medical genetics
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Nuclear medicine
Obstetrics and gynecology
Ophthalmology
Pathology
Pediatrics
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Preventive medicine
Psychiatry
Radiation oncology
Surgery
Urology
'Each of our graduates is a reflection of the academic excellence and community focus we champion at Burrell,' Dr. William Pieratt, executive vice president of Academic Services, dean and chief academic cfficer, said. 'Our mission is to graduate physicians who are not only clinically prepared but also culturally competent and deeply aware of the health challenges facing our communities. With our growing footprint in Florida and New Mexico, we are proud to educate the next generation of doctors who will make a lasting impact across the nation.'
According to Burrell College, since its founding in 2013, the college has graduated 862 physicians.
In July 2025, Burrell College opened its newest campus in Melbourne, Florida, to reflect the college's commitment to addressing the physician shortage in 'medically underserved regions.'
'Burrell College received the highest level of accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) — a Ten-Year Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome — affirming the College's unwavering commitment to the success of its student doctors,' the news release read.
For more information, you can visit Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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