The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) was recently inaugurated in Orlando, Florida. It was the vision of Indian American co-founders of the college, Dr Kiran Patel and Dr. Pallavi Patel who sought to address the deficiency in physicians and residency programs in the Central Florida region.
At OCOM, students will spend the first two years in didactic training on campus, and the next two years will be spent doing clinical rotations at affiliated hospital systems throughout the state of Florida. OCOM has established partnerships with more than 26 hospitals and healthcare systems, including a partnership with Kiran Patel Institute for Graduate Medical Education, fostering residency positions throughout Florida. OCOM’s inaugural class of 97 students will commence on Aug. 5, 2024.
Yesterday marked a very important day in OCOM's history: the ceremonious grand opening of the college! Read our full press release here.
— OCOM (@OCOMOrlando) March 11, 2024
"Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) Unveils a Future of Excellence: Grand Opening Celebration on March 10th, 2024" pic.twitter.com/hYcXH4UdDG
Dr Kiran Patel was born in Zambia to Asian-American parents. He moved to Gujarat to study medicine and returned to Africa for an internship. He did his residency in Internal Medicine in New Jersey in 1980. He completed a fellowship in the cardiology program affiliated with the Columbia University of New York in 1982.
The same year he moved to Tampa, Florida, and began his cardiology practice. He attained success and prominence as a distinguished cardiologist in that area. Kiran developed a physician practice management company through which he diverged in 14 practices including Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Cardiology. He later engaged himself in managed care contracts which expanded considerably. Kiran took a step forward and started a Medicaid-managed care company that became the largest Medicaid provider in Florida.
Dr Pallavi Patel is a board-certified pediatrician and a philanthropist. She was born in India and moved to Zambia to begin her medical journey. Aside from her pediatric practice, Pallavi is passionate about issues related to teen pregnancy, single motherhood, adolescent self-esteem, and women’s health and education.
In 2008, Pallavi was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. The Florida Women’s Hall of Fame was created by Florida Statute in 1982 to honor women who, through their lives and efforts, made significant contributions to the improvement of life for women and all Florida citizens.
The Patels have conducted extensive philanthropic work across Zambia, India, and Florida. The Dr. Pallavi Patel Performing Arts Conservatory, established in Tampa in 2004, as a result of a US$5 million gift to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, annually enables thousands of young people to pursue their dreams in music and the performing arts.
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