CHSU Accreditation Celebration Commemorates all Programs being accredited

Photo Caption from Left to right: Lynne Ashbeck, Mayor of Clovis; Courtney Dunbar, District Director for Congressman Vince Fong; Dr. Flo Dunn, Founding President of CHSU; Jim Patterson, CA State Assemblyman; Nathan Magsig, Fresno County Supervisor; Jenna Welch, Field Representative for Senator Shannon Grove; Dr. John Graneto, Founding Dean of CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Ronald Llenado, Resident Physician at UCSF Fresno Family Medicine Program and CHSU-COM Alum (2024).

The California Health Sciences University (CHSU) held a celebration this week to commemorate achieving full accreditation for all its programs.

“Having our university accreditation recently reaffirmed, and our medical school, master’s program, and Simulation Center all achieving full accreditation is a significant milestone for our institution and a proud moment for all of us who are part of this vibrant community,”

Dr. Florence Dunn, Founding President of CHSU

The Accreditation Celebration brought together over 300 people on the medical school campus in Clovis, including CHSU medical and pre-medical students, alumni, administration, faculty, staff, trustees, founders, elected officials, and community partners.

Guests toured the Simulation Center for interactive experiences with high-fidelity manikins and augmented reality Holoanatomy demonstrations.

The Founding Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, John Graneto, DO, stated,

“In the past six months, we’ve had exciting news every month starting with our historic 100% residency match rate for our inaugural class of 2024 in March.”

Last April, full accreditation was granted for seven years to CHSU’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

66 new physicians in the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s inaugural class of 2024 graduated at the Save Mart Center in May.

Ronald Llenado, DO, an alum from the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s inaugural class of 2024 is one of the 33% of his graduating class who matched for residency in the Central Valley. Dr. Llenado is now a first-year resident in the UCSF Fresno Family Medicine program.

“Matching at UCSF Fresno has been a dream come true. It allowed me to stay here in the Central Valley, where I’ve studied, built important relationships, and made a home. I’m also proud to say that CHSU graduates make up 25% of my intern class, further showing how CHSU is shaping the future of medicine right here in our community,”

Ronald Llenado, DO, Resident Physician in the UCSF Fresno Family Medicine program and CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alum from the inaugural class of 2024.

He spoke at the Accreditation Celebration about his medical school experience at CHSU and connection to serving patients in the community through his clinical clerkships.

“The accreditation of CHSU is a landmark moment—not just for the school but for all of us who are part of its legacy. It’s a testament to the hard work, vision, and dedication that went into building a medical program that equips its students to serve our unique community and improve healthcare access for all,”

remarked Dr. Ronald Llenado.

Other notable speakers at the celebration included long-time university supporters Assemblyman Jim Patterson, Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, and Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck.

Mayor Lynne Ashbeck spoke about the CHSU medical school being transformational for this region.

“There is nothing more important that will define this region for the next 30 years than the health of our residents. If we can provide an environment where our families and kids can thrive, where our kids can actually see what it takes to become a doctor or other healthcare provider, and achieve those goals close to home and where we can all have access to those doctors to care for us then our region has a chance,”

stated Lynne Ashbeck, Clovis Mayor.

Fresno County Supervisor, Nathan Magsig, shared that he and Mayor Ashbeck were both on the Clovis City Council when the university was seeking a campus location.

Nathan Magsig, Fresno County Supervisor remarked,

“There are going to be thousands of doctors that graduate from this facility and its going to change what the Central Valley gets to experience when it comes to care. I just want to say thank you to those individuals who were part of the vision to make this happen.”

Representatives from the offices of Congressman Vince Fong, Congressman Jim Costa, and Senator Shannon Grove also attended the event and presented CHSU with certificates of special recognition for achieving full accreditation for all its programs.

Left to right: Dr. Flo Dunn, Founding President of CHSU and Courtney Dunbar, District Director for Congressman Vince Fong; Dr. Flo Dunn, Founding President of CHSU and Jenna Welch, Field Representative for Senator Shannon Grove; and Dr. Flo Dunn, Founding President of CHSU and Sandra Garcia, Field Representative for Congressman Jim Costa.

CHSU became accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2018. This summer, CHSU had its university accreditation reaffirmed by WSCUC.

When the fall semester began in July, the university received the news that all CHSU students are now eligible for Federal Financial aid to help them fund their medical school and master’s program education.

“These achievements are a shared victory with our entire community, and ultimately is for our students,”

Dr. Flo Dunn, CHSU Founding President

CHSU Accreditation Celebration Recap Video

Watch the recap video for the CHSU Accreditation Celebration.