Thomas Kamumo, PA-C, OSU Center for Health Sciences alumnus

PA grad builds connections with patients to improve health outcomes

Media Contact: Kayley Spielbusch | Digital Communications Specialist | 918-561-5759 | kspielb@okstate.edu

Thomas Kamumo, PA-C, decided to pursue a career as a physician assistant after working as a paramedic.

Kamumo worked alongside practicing PAs in various settings and was inspired by them.

“Becoming a PA seemed like a great transition in advancing further into the medical profession. It would allow me to truly practice medicine in terms of diagnosing, treating and directly managing patients’ medical conditions,” he said.

Kamumo, who was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, was a part of the OSU Center for Health Sciences Physician Assistant program’s inaugural class in 2021.

The curriculum consists of 13 months of didactic training followed by 15 months of clinical rotations. The program emphasizes increasing health care access in rural and underserved Oklahoma.

Before enrolling, Kamumo attended a conference introducing the new PA program, where he met with the faculty and OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine students. That experience is what influenced him to attend OSU-CHS.

“From the moment I walked on campus, I felt like I was home. Everyone was welcoming and supportive,” he said.

“OSU-CHS was instrumental in instilling a collaborative education experience. It has translated to how I practice medicine today as I work alongside other medical providers who are far more experienced than I am.” — Thomas Kamumo, PA-C, OSU Center for Health Sciences alumnus

Now, Kamumo, who graduated from the PA program in 2023, is a family medicine provider at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group in Miami, Oklahoma. Working in Miami gives him the chance to stay close to his family while serving a rural community.

He credits OSU-CHS’s emphasis on collaboration for preparing him for his career.

“OSU-CHS was instrumental in instilling a collaborative education experience. It has translated to how I practice medicine today as I work alongside other medical providers who are far more experienced than I am,” he said.

The connections he creates with patients are the best part of working in family medicine.

“The most rewarding part of my career is establishing meaningful relationships with my patients. I enjoy working with them to improve their health,” he said.

Kamumo wants aspiring physician assistants to know that plenty of opportunities exist in the medical field.

“The coursework can be hard and involved at times, but it’s worth it in the end,” he said.